Conformity to social roles Flashcards
What are social roles?
Behaviors expected of an individual who occupies a given social position or status.
Who investigated conformity to social roles and what was the actual name of the study?
Zimbardo. Haney et al.
Who were participants in the Stanford Prison Experiment?
24 white male American undergraduates - paid volunteers.
Outline procedure of the Stanford Prison Experiment.
Basement of Stanford uni converted into mock prison. Volunteers randomly assigned prisoners or guards. Uniforms and props such as sunglasses and handcuffs for guards. Prisoners referred to by number. Guards allowed to control behaviour, no violence. Whole purpose was to establish social hierarchy.
Outline findings of the Stanford Prison Experiment.
Very quickly identified with social role. Guards harassed and tormented prisoners in harsh ways - later expressed that they enjoyed it. Prisoners were increasingly submissive and only talked about prison life - asked for ‘parole’ rather than to leave the study. Submission and aggression became increasingly extreme, suggesting they internalised their social role.
(AO3) Discuss ethical issues in the Stanford Prison Experiment.
Violates guidelines of deception, informed consent and protection from psychological harm. Would not pass BPS guidelines today. Prisoners had to be released early due to psychological disturbance. However, certain conditions required for study, and difficult to predict harmful conditions. Was passed by Stanford University ethics committee. Provided debriefing sessions for several years - concluded no lasting effects. Also highlighted importance of ethics in studies - led to more strict ethical guidelines.
(AO3) What is a clear issue with the methodology of the Stanford Prison Experiment?
Demand characteristics. When a large group of students were given the information of the study, the vast majority guessed the aim of the study. They also correctly predicted the results of the study. Suggests participant’ behaved to please experimenter. Lack of internal validity.
(AO3) How can the Stanford Prison Experiment be applied to the real world?
Explains torture of Iraqi prisoners by US military in Abu Ghraib. Suggests as a result of situational factors. Shows how we can prevent atrocities and create better prison environments - less hierarchy, need for accountability to authority and generally more pleasant environment - evident in Scandinavian prisons.
(AO3) What is an issue with the sample used by the SPE?
Fully white, western, male sample group. Cannot generalise to different genders and cultures. Collectivist cultures may conform more due to value of the group over individual.
