SOCIAL INFLUENCE - Conformity To Social Roles

Question 1

What is a social role
Give eg

Answer 1

The part people play in a social situation/group

Eg: parent/teacher

Question 2

Procedure of SPE

Answer 2

Volunteer sample of students
Takes place in Stanford university
Random assignment to roles of guards and prisoners
- arrested in homes and then blindfolded strip searches and issued uniform.

Question 3

Findings of SPE

Answer 3

• only lasted 6 days (supposed to last two weeks)
• two days in there was a rebellion against the guards harsh treatment
• guards retaliated with fire extinguishers
• prisoners were harassed constantly, punished over small things
• one prisoner released on first day from psychological disturbance, two on fourth day, one went on hunger strike

Question 4

Conclusions drawn from SPE

Answer 4

Most/all participants conformed to their social roles

Question 5

Banuazizi and Mohavedi

Answer 5

Argues that the participants were merely play acting rather than actually conforming to a role
Their performances are based on stereotypes of the roles rather than them actually acting how they would be.