Conformity social roles: Zimbardo's research

Question 1

Procedures

Answer 1

Mock prison with students randomly assigned as guards or prisoners

Question 2

To see if…

Answer 2

Behavior may be determined by social norms

Question 3

Findings

Answer 3

Guards became increasingly brutal, prisoners increasingly withdrawn and depressed

Question 4

Conclusions

Answer 4

Participants conformed to roles as guards or prisoners

Question 5

Evaluation

Answer 5

Control
Lack of realism
Dispositional influences (only 1/3 guards brutal)
Lack of research support
Ethical issues

Question 6

Social roles

Answer 6

‘Parts’ people play as members of various social groups e.g. Parent, student, passenger. Accompanied by expectations we and others have of what is appropriate behaviour.