Conformity - Social Roles

Question 1

What are social roles?

Answer 1

The ‘parts’ people play as members of various social groups, accompanied by our and others ideas of what is appropriate behaviour in each role

Question 2

Zimbardo (1973) procedure

Answer 2

Mock prison set up at Stanford university. 21 ‘emotionally stable’ students were randomly assigned to play the role of prison guard or prisoner. The prisoners were given a loose smock to wear and were identified by number. The guards had their own uniform. This created a loss of personal identity (de-individuation)

Question 3

Zimbardo (1973) findings

Answer 3

Guards became increasingly brutal, harassing and punishing prisoners. Within two days prisoners rebelled. Rebellion was put down and prisoners became depressed. Prisoner #8612 had to be released due to symptoms of psychological disturbance. Zimbardo ended study after 6 days instead of 14. This suggests social roles have a strong influence on behaviour

Question 4

Strengths of the SPE

Answer 4

• Real world application (eg. US prisons can decrease effects of institutionalisation and over exaggerating social roles)
• Control over key variables (eg. Choosing emotionally stable participants, increasing internal validity)

Question 5

Limitations of the SPE

Answer 5

• Lack ecological validity (eg. Banuazizi & Movahedi argued participants were play acting based on stereotypes and didn’t actually believe the situation)
• Ethical issues (eg. Lack of informed consent due to deception required to avoid demand characteristics)

Question 6

Alternative explanation to the SPE

Answer 6

Reicher & Hassan 2006 used social identity theory (SIT) to argue that the guards has to actively identify with their social roles to act the way they did, rather than it come naturally