1.3 Social Influence | Conformity to Social Roles Flashcards
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 of what is appropriate behaviour in each role, for example caring, obedient and industrious.
Who took part in the controlled observation?
21 male student volunteers
How were the individuals who took part in the experiment selected?
They were considered ‘emotionally stable’
What were they encouraged to do?
Conform to the social roles both through the uniforms they wore and also instructions about their behaviour
What were the prisoners given?
Loose smock and a cap
What were the guards given?
Wooden clubs, handcuffs and mirror glasses
What was the effect of the uniform of both groups?
It resulted in a loss of personal identity (de-individualisation) and meant that they would be more likely to conform to the perceived social role
How were prisoners encouraged to identify with their role?
By following multiple procedures including ‘apply for parole’ in order to leave the study early
What happened within two days?
The prisoners rebelled
How did they rebel?
They ripped up their uniforms, swore at guards who retaliated with fire extinguishers
What happened after the rebellion of the prisoners was put down?
They became anxious, depressed and subdued
How did guards behave towards the prisoner who went on hunger strike?
They attempted to force feed him and then put him into ‘the hole’ which was a tiny, dark closet
Using further knowledge, how was conformity to social roles demonstrated?
Individuals who volunteered and came in to perform specific functions, such as the prison chaplain, behaved as if they were in a prison rather than a psychological study
