conformity : social roles (SPE) ao1 Flashcards
define social role
the parts people play as members of various social groups. eg a teacher adopts a particular behaviour in a particular social situation (teaching)
who conducted stanford prison expiriment and when
zimbardo et al
1973
sample of SPE
sample; 21 male university students who volunteered in response to newspaper advert
location of SPE
basement of stanford uni turned into mock prision where zim was warden
done in attempts to make study as realisti as possible
procedure of SPE
ppts selected from all volunteers based on physical and mental stability
each ppt randomly assinged to role of prisoner or guard
prisoners were arrested by real local police, fingerprinted, stripped down. numbered smock to wear with chains placed around ankles
guard given uniforms reflective sunglasses handcuffs and a club
paid $15 per day
how long was SPE meant to last for
2 weeks
what did uniforms create for guards
created a loss of personal identity - de-individuation this meant they were more likely to conform to the role
what instructions were given prisoners and guards
prisoners were told that instead of leaving study early they could “apply for parole”
guards were instructed to run the prison without using physical violence
both prisoners and guards encourged to conform to their social roles through uniform worn and instructions given
findings of SPE
- both prisoners and guards quickly identified with their roles
- within days the prisoners rebelled but this was quickly crushed by the guards who then grew increasingly abusive toward prisoners
- the guards dehumanised the prisoners waking them up during the night forcing them to clean toilets with their bare hands
- caused prisoners to become increasingly submissive and identidy w their role more
findings of SPE - people leaving and time of it ending
5 prisoners had to be relased from study early due to mental and physical torment eg crying and extreme anxiety
one prisoner went on hunger strike
expiriment was set to run for 2 weeks but it was terminated after 6 days due to inhumane conditions
conclusions of SPE
- ppl quickly conform to social roles even if it goes agianst their moral principles
(guards became brutal, prisoners submissive) - situational factors largely responsible
- none of the ppt demonstrated this kind of behaviour previously