Conformity to social roles

Question 1

Define social roles

Answer 1

parts ppl play as members of various social groups

Question 2

A01

Outline Zimbardos purpose of research

Answer 2

Zimbardo & colleagues conducted study
>wanted to know why prison guards behaved brutally
>was it due to sadistic personality or social roles?

Question 3

A01

Outline Zimbardo-Standford prison experiment procedure

Answer 3

> set up mock prison in basement of psychology department in standford uni
selected 21 male students volunteers tested as ‘emotionally stable’
students randomly assigned role of prisoner/guard
encouraged to conform to social roles through uniforms & instructions

Question 4

A01

Outline Instructions about behaviour & Uniform

Procedure

Answer 4

Prisoners encouraged to identify with role by applying for parole
guards encouraged to play role by being reminded they have power over prisoners
>uniform created loss of personal identity-de-individuation meant more likely to conform to social roles

Question 5

A01

Explain Findings of Zimbardo’s study

Answer 5

Guards-took up roles with enthusiasm- treated prisoners harshly
>in 2 days prisoners rebelled
>guards used ‘dividee & rule’ tactic-playing prisoners off against each other
>harassed prisoners-reminded them of powerless of role
>after rebellion-put down
>prisoners became depressed & anxious
>1 released because showed signs of psychological disturbance
>guards identified closely with role-became aggressive & brutal
>some enjoyed power had over prisoners
> study ended in 6 days-intended 14 days

Question 6

Outline Zimbardos Conclusion to social roles

Answer 6

social roles have strong influence on individuals behaviour
>guards became brutal & prisoners submissive & their roles became internalised

Question 7

A03

Explain how zimbardos study has control over variables-strength

Strength

Answer 7

> the selection of participants
emotionally stable p were chosen& randomly assigned role of prisoner or guard
this way they ruled out individual differences
because if individuals behaviour diff but randomly assigned then behaviour is due to role itself
control over variables increased internal validity of findings

Question 8

A03

Explain how Lack of Realism in zimbardos study is a -Limitation

Limitation

Answer 8

> limitation of SPE did not have realism of true prison
Ali & Mohavedi-argue p merely play acting rather than conforming to social roles
p performance was based on stereotype of how prison & guards act
tell us little about conformity to social roles in real prison

counterpoint: McDermott argues that p did behave as if the prison was real for them, e.g 90% of prisoners conversations were about prison life & discussed how its impossible to leave SPE before their ‘sentences’ were over
suggests SPE did replicate social roles of prisoner & guard in real prison-thus SPE high degree of internal validity

Question 9

A03

Outline how Zimbardos study lacks population validity

Limitation

Answer 9

sample only consisted of American male students -
findings cannot be generalised to other genders & cultures.
E.g, collectivist cultures, China/ Japan, more conformist to their social roles- such cultures value needs of group over the needs of the individual.
suggests findings-culture bound

Question 10

A03

Outline ethical issues of Zimbardos study

Limitation

Answer 10

Zimbardo didnt obtain fully informed consent due to- deception required to
avoid demand characteristics
study caused Psychological harm – Participants not protected from
anxiety, emotional distress & embarrassment
e.g. one prisoner had to be released due to excess distress.
& the right to withdraw was made difficult
This study -unacceptable according to modern ethical standards.