Conformity to Social Roles A01 Flashcards
1
Q
Social Roles
A
- Parts people play as members of various social groups
- Accompanied by expectations of what is appropriate behaviour in each role
2
Q
What did Zimbardo want to know?
A
- Why prison guards behaved so brutally
3
Q
Outline the Stanford Prison Experiment.
A
- Mock prison in basement of psychology department in Stanford University
- 21 men (student volunteers) who tested emotionally stable
Students were randomly assigned to play role of prisoner or guard - encouraged to conform to social roles through uniform they wore and instructions about their behaviour
- Prisoners were identified by number (names never used)
- Uniforms created loss of personal identity (de-individuation)
- More likely to conform to perceived roles due to uniform
- Guards were encouraged to play their roles, reminded that they had complete power over prisoners
4
Q
Findings related to social roles.
A
- Guards took up roles with enthusiasm, behaving harshly to prisoners, reminding prisoners of powerless role
- prisoners rebelled within 2 days
- Prisoners became depressed and anxious
- One prisoner went on hunger strike
- One prisoner released after showing symptoms of psychological disturbance
- Guards identified more closely with roles and became increasingly brutal
- Zimbardo ended study after six days instead of intended 14
5
Q
Conclusions related to social roles.
A
- Social roles have strong influence on individuals behaviour
- Guards became increasingly brutal
- Poisoners became increasingly submissive
6
Q
Where was Zimbardo’s experiment conducted?
A
- Mock prison in basement of psychology department in Stanford University
7
Q
Who conducted the Stanford prison experiment?
A
- Zimbardo
8
Q
Who were the Stanford Prison experiment participants?
A
- 21 men (student volunteers)
- Tested emotionally stable
9
Q
How were participants assigned in the Stanford prison experiment?
A
- Students were randomly assigned
- Played role of prisoner or guard
10
Q
How did Zimbardo encourage participants to conform to social roles?
A
- encouraged to conform to social roles through uniform they wore and instructions about their behavior
11
Q
How were prisoners in the Stanford prison experiment identified?
A
- Prisoners were identified by number (names never used)
12
Q
What did uniforms do in Zimbardo’s experiment?
A
- Uniforms created loss of personal identity (de-individuation)
13
Q
Why were guards more likely to conform in Zimbardo’s experiment?
A
- More likely to conform to perceived roles due to uniform
14
Q
How did Zimbardo encourage guards to play their roles?
A
- Guards were encouraged to play their roles, reminded that they had complete power over prisoners
15
Q
How did guards react to their social roles?
A
- Guards took up roles with enthusiasm
- behaved harshly to prisoners, reminding prisoners of powerless role
