6. Conformity To Social Roles: Zimbardo's Research AO1

Question 1

What did Zimbardo do?

Answer 1

Set up a mock prison in the basement of the psychology department at Stanford University

Question 2

What was Zimbardo’s aim?

Answer 2

To test whether the brutality of prison guards was the result of sadistic personalities or whether it was created by the situation.

Question 3

What participants did Zimbardo use?

Answer 3

Recruited 24 ‘emotionally stable’ students determined by psychological testing

Question 4

How were students assigned roles

Answer 4

Randomly assigned roles of guard or prisoner

Question 5

What was done to increase realism?

Answer 5

Participants were arrested at their homes - delivered to the prison - blindfolded - strip searched - deloused - given number & uniform

Question 6

How were prisoners lives controlled?

Answer 6

Daily routine heavily regulated - 16 rules to follow enforced by guards

Question 7

Define de-individuation

Answer 7

Losing a sense of personal identity

Question 8

Explain de-individuation in the prison

Answer 8

1. Prisoners only referred to as numbers

2. Guards had uniform, handcuffs & keys - told they had complete power e.g. Deciding when they could go to toilet

Question 9

What happened in first 2 days

Answer 9

Prisoners rebelled against their treatment - ripped uniforms - shouted ; swore at guards - retaliated with fire extinguishers

Question 10

What did the guards do to highlight difference in social roles

Answer 10

Created opportunities to enforce rules and punish slight misdemeanours

Question 11

How did the guards behave?

Answer 11

Took up roles with enthusiasm- behaviour threatened prisoners’ psychological and physical health

Question 12

Name three consequences of the study

Answer 12

1. After rebellion was put down, prisoners became anxious and depressed
2. Three prisoners released early - showed signs of psychological disturbance
3. One prisoner went on hunger strike - guards tried to force feed & punish him in a tiny dark closet

Question 13

How long did the study last

Answer 13

6 but 8 were planned

Question 14

What was Zimbardo’s conclusion

Answer 14

Simulation revealed how the power of the situation influenced people’s behaviour - guards, prisoners and researchers all conformed

Question 15

What happened the more guards identified with roles?

Answer 15

They became more brutal and aggressive