Conformity to Social Roles - Zimbardo's Research Flashcards
(36 cards)
define social roles
the ‘parts’ people play as members of various social groups
everyday examples include parent, child, student, passenger and so on
these are accompanied by expectations we and others have on what is appropriate behaviour in each role
what did Zimbardo do in 1970s?
he and his colleagues conducted one of the most memorable studies in psychology
there had been many prison riots in America and he wanted to know why prison guards behave so brutally
what did Zimbardo do in 1973?
he set up a mock prison in the basement of the psychological department at Stanford university
they selected 24 men (student volunteers)
what did the 21 men who were student volunteers test as?
emotionally stable
what happened to the 21 men?
they were randomly assigned to play the roles of prison guard or prisoner
how were prisoners and guards encouraged to conform to these social roles?
through the uniforms they worse and the instructions of their behaviour
what were the prisoners given to wear?
a loose smock and a cap to cover their hair
they were identified by a number - names never used
what were the guards given to wear?
uniform which reflected their status of their role , with a wooden club, handcuffs and mirror shades
this meant that they would be more likely to conform to the perceived social role
how were the prisoners encouraged to identify with their role?
by several procedures :
rather than leaving the study early, prisoners could ‘apply for parole’
what instructions were the guards given?
they were encouraged to play their role being reminded that they had complete power over prisoners
how did the guards take up their roles?
with enthusiasm , treating the prisoners harshly
what happened within 2 days of the study?
prisoners rebelled , they ripped their uniforms and swore at guards , who retaliated with fire extinguishers
how did the guards deal with this behaviour?
they used the ‘divide and rule’ tactic by playing prisoners off against each other
how else did they treat the prisoners?
they harassed the prisoners constantly to remind them of their powerlessness of their role
for example, they conducted frequent head counts -sometimes at night and prisoners would stand in line and call out their numbers
what did the guards highlight?
differences in social roles by creating opportunities to enforce the rules and administer the punishment
what happened after the rebellion was put down?
prisoners were depressed and anxious
why were some prisoners released?
one was released as he showed symptoms of psychological disturbance
on the 4th day, 2 more men were released
what happened to one of the prisoners who went on hunger strike?
the guards tried to force feed him , then they punished him by putting him in the ‘hole’ - a dark closet
what was apparent in the role of the guards?
that they identified more and more closely with their role
their behaviour became increasingly brutal and aggressive - some appearing to enjoy the power they had over the prisoners
what did Zimbardo do?
he ended the study after 6 days instead of the intended 14
what was the conclusions about social role?
they have a strong influence on individuals’ behaviour , the guards became brutal and prisoners submissive
such roles were very easily taken on by all participants - even the volunteers who came in to perform specific functions found themselves behaving in a prison rather than a psychological study
what is a strength of the SPE?
Zimbardo and his colleagues had control over key variables
what was the most obvious example of this?
the selection of the participant being emotionally stable individuals who were chosen and randomly assigned to the roles of guard and prisoners
why is this a strength ?
as individual personality differences were rules out by the researcher as an explanation for the findings
if the guards / prisoners behaved very differently but were in the roles only by chance then it would be due to the role itself
