Conformity to social roles

Question 1

what are the aims of Zimbardo’s prison study?

Answer 1

to investigate the extent to which people would conform to the roles of guard & prisoner
to test the dispositional versus situational hypothesis that saw prison violence due to sadistic personalities of guards & prisoners

Question 2

how many pp’s in Zimbardo’s study?

Answer 2

24

Question 3

what is the procedure for Zimbardo’s study?

Answer 3

basement of psych department at Stanford uni made into mock prison - prisoners arrested from homes by police - dehumanised - stripped, wearing numbered smocks, & chain around ankle - guards wore khaki uniforms & sunglasses

Question 4

what are the findings of Zimbardo’s study?

Answer 4

both settled into the roles quickly - guards became more sadistic and taunting when attempted prisoner rebellion & prisoners more submissive - de-individuation - prisoners referring to each other by their numbers
after 36 hours, 1 was released due to crying & range - 3 more released after - 5th developed rash when parole denied
stopped after 6 days

Question 5

what are the conclusions of Zimbardo’s study?

Answer 5

situational hypothesis favoured over dispositional hypothesis as none of the pps have ever shown character traits before study
conform to roles demanded of the situation even if they overrule their morals

Question 6

evaluate Zimbardo’s study

Answer 6

individual differences important as not all guards behaved brutally
were improvements to prisons
unethical - psychological harm