conformity to social roles

Question 1

the stanford prison experiment (zimabrdo et al, 1973) - procedure

Answer 1

• randomly assigned 21 ‘emotionally stable’ male ppts as prisoners or prison guards
• uniforms (prisoners): loose smock, referred to by a number
• uniforms (prison guards): reflective sunglasses, handcuffs, wooden club

Question 2

the stanford prison experiment - findings

Answer 2

• guards identified closely and treated the prisoners harshly
• within 2 days prisoners rebelled
• prisoners became depressed and anxious (1 showed signs of psychological disturbance)
• guards behaviour became increasing brutal

Question 3

zimabardo - strength

Answer 3

point - control over extraneous variables
evidence - ppts randomly assigned roles
explain - limits personality influencing behaviour

Question 4

zimbardo - strength

Answer 4

point - real life application
evidence - study altered US prisons
explain - U18 no longer housed with adults before trial

Question 5

zimbardo - weakness

Answer 5

point - exaggerated influence of social roles
evidence - not all identified, some were sadistic and some weren’t
explain - personality has some control over conformity

Question 6

zimbardo - weakness

Answer 6

point - broke ethical guidelines
evidence - psychological harm
explain - cannot be fully valid