Conformity to Social Roles Flashcards
What was the aim of Zimbardo’s study?
To investigate how readily people would conform to social roles in a simulated environment, specifically why ‘good people do bad things’.
Who were the participants in Zimbardo’s study?
24 American male undergraduate students.
What roles were participants assigned in Zimbardo’s study?
Participants were randomly assigned to be either guards or prisoners.
What was the setting of Zimbardo’s study?
The basement of the Stanford University psychology building was converted into a simulated prison.
How were prisoners referred to in Zimbardo’s study?
Prisoners were only referred to by their assigned number.
What props were given to guards in Zimbardo’s study?
Guards were given props like handcuffs and sunglasses to reinforce boundaries and prevent eye contact.
What restrictions were placed on participants in Zimbardo’s study?
No one was allowed to leave the simulated prison.
What was a key finding regarding the behavior of guards?
Guards began to harass and torment prisoners, enjoying their newfound power.
What did prisoners do to please the guards?
Prisoners would snitch on other prisoners and only talk about prison issues.
What was a significant observation about the roles in Zimbardo’s study?
The social roles became increasingly internalized, with guards demanding obedience and prisoners becoming submissive.
What is one strength of Zimbardo’s study?
Real life applications – This research changed the way US prisons are run.
What ethical issue was addressed after Zimbardo’s study?
The study led to formal recognition of ethical guidelines to protect future participants.
What is one weakness related to ecological validity in Zimbardo’s study?
The study suffered from demand characteristics, as participants knew they were in a study.
What is a limitation regarding population validity in Zimbardo’s study?
The sample only consisted of American male students, limiting generalizability to other genders and cultures.
What ethical issue arose from the lack of informed consent in Zimbardo’s study?
Participants were not fully informed due to the deception required to avoid demand characteristics.
What psychological harm was reported in Zimbardo’s study?
Participants were not protected from stress and emotional distress, with some needing to be released due to psychological disturbance.
