Superordinate goals

Superordinate goals

Superordinate goals, in psychology, are goals that are achieved by the contribution and co-operation of two or more people, with individual goals that are normally in opposition to each other, working together.

Muzafer Sherif (1954) performed a study involving a group of boys at a camp that were in opposition to one another, one named Eagles, one named the Rattlers, in a zero-sum situation. The opposing groups had strong negative feelings towards each other, resulting in hostile actions such as 'garbage wars'.

Sherif was able to successfully bring these two groups together by using superordinate goals, such as solving the problems of a breakdown of the water supply and the breakdown of a food delivery truck. The cumulative effect of these incidents was friendship formation across group boundaries. On the last day, both groups elected to ride home together on the same bus.

References

Sherif, M., Harvey, O.J., White, B.J., Hood, W.R., & Sherif, C.W. (1961) "Intergroup Conflict and Co-operation: The Robbers Cave Experiment". Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Book Exchange.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • goals — goal, goals The end results towards which an individual or collective action is directed. The term is commonplace in sociology, although its logical and explanatory status varies greatly, according to context and authorship. Numerous typologies… …   Dictionary of sociology

  • 7-S-Modell — Das 7 S Modell stellt eine Unternehmung durch sieben Kernvariablen dar, die für die Gestaltung des Unternehmens wesentlich sind und zugleich Ansatzpunkte für Interventionen seitens einer Beratung bieten.[1] Ursprünglich als Tool für externe… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Sieben-S-Modell — Das 7 S Modell[1] wurde in den 70ern von Richard Pascale, Tony Athos, Tom Peters und Robert H. Waterman jr., damals Unternehmensberater bei McKinsey, entwickelt. Sie unterteilten damit Unternehmen in die Bereiche Strategie (strategy) Struktur… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • goal — goal, goals The end results towards which an individual or collective action is directed. The term is commonplace in sociology, although its logical and explanatory status varies greatly, according to context and authorship. Numerous typologies… …   Dictionary of sociology

  • Realistic conflict theory — is a theory within social psychology that ties into discrimination and stereotypes. The theory puts forth the concept that limited resources will lead to conflict between groups and this is a direct reason why discrimination and stereotypes can… …   Wikipedia

  • Marketing plan — A marketing plan may be part of an overall business plan. Solid marketing strategy is the foundation of a well written marketing plan. While a marketing plan contains a list of actions, a marketing plan without a sound strategic foundation is of… …   Wikipedia

  • List of psychology topics — This page aims to list all topics related to psychology. This is so that those interested in the subject can monitor changes to the pages by clicking on Related changes in the sidebar. It is also to see the gaps in Wikipedia s coverage of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Muzafer Sherif — Born July 29, 1906 Ödemiş, İzmir, Turkey Died October 16, 1988 (aged 82) Fairbanks, Alaska, USA …   Wikipedia

  • Workplace conflict — is a specific type of conflict that occurs in workplaces. The conflicts that arise in workplaces may be shaped by the unique aspects of this environment, including the long hours many people spend at their workplace, the hierarchical structure of …   Wikipedia

  • Multiteam System (MTS) — Multiteam systems (MTSs) are “[t]wo or more teams that interface directly and interdependently in response to environmental contingencies toward the accomplishment of collective goals. MTS boundaries are defined by virtue of the fact that all… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”