zimbardo- SPE- conforming to social roles

Question 1

aim of SPE

Answer 1

investigate the factors which influence us to conform to roles we are given in society

Question 2

procedure of SPE

Answer 2

observational study- 24 males (volunteer sampling) assigned as guards or prisoners in a mock prison at Stanford University. Prisoners were arrested at home, stripped, and given uniforms and numbers. Guards wore uniforms and sunglasses to show authority. They controlled the prisoners’ routines. The study was meant to last 2 weeks but ended after 6 days due to abusive behaviour and psychological distress.

Question 3

results of SPE

Answer 3

Guards and prisoners quickly adapted to roles.
Guards taunted prisoners, gave meaningless tasks.
De-individuation: prisoners referred to by numbers.
1 prisoner released after 36 hrs due to emotional instability; 3 more released later.

Question 4

strength- well controlled research

Answer 4

Psychological screening ensured only emotionally stable participants were selected, reducing the influence of individual differences. Random allocation to prisoner or guard roles meant behaviour changes were likely due to situational pressures and social roles rather than personality traits. This strengthens the internal validity of the study.

Question 5

weakness- low generalisability

Answer 5

The study only used male university students from the USA, resulting in a small, culturally and demographically narrow sample. This limits population validity, as findings cannot be generalised to females, older individuals, or people from other cultures. It fails to reflect how conformity to social roles might operate in diverse real-world settings

Question 6

weakness- ethical concerns

Answer 6

Participants experienced extreme psychological harm, including emotional breakdowns and severe distress. Despite this, Zimbardo allowed the study to continue for several days, raising serious concerns about protection from harm. The dual role he played as both researcher and prison superintendent may have clouded his judgement, highlighting major ethical flaws in the study’s conduct.

Question 7

strength- real life application

Answer 7

The Abu Ghraib prison scandal supports situational explanations of obedience and brutality. U.S. military guards committed severe abuses against prisoners, similar to SPE. Both show how authority roles, deindividuation, and a lack of accountability can lead to cruel behaviour. This reinforces the idea that environmental and situational pressures can override personal values, supporting Milgram and Zimbardo’s conclusions.