conformity to social roles as investigated by zimbardo Flashcards
what are the 6 AO1 points you should know for conformity to social roles as investigated by zimbardo?
-Aim of Zimbardo’s Study (1973)
-Procedure – Setup
-Procedure – Role Implementation
-Findings – Rapid Conformity to Roles
-Conclusion – Power of the Situation
-Identification with Roles
What was the aim of Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment (1973)?
To investigate how readily people conform to social roles (e.g., guard or prisoner), and whether behaviour is due to the situation or individual personality.
What was the setup of Zimbardo’s experiment?
24 emotionally stable male volunteers were randomly assigned roles of guard or prisoner in a mock prison at Stanford University. Prisoners were arrested at home to increase realism.
How were roles implemented in Zimbardo’s study?
Guards wore uniforms and mirrored sunglasses, and had total control. Prisoners were dehumanised with uniforms, ID numbers, and a strict routine to simulate prison life.
What were the main findings of the Stanford Prison Experiment?
Participants quickly conformed to roles. Guards became abusive; prisoners became anxious, depressed, and passive. The study was stopped after 6 days due to ethical concerns.
What did Zimbardo conclude from the experiment?
The situation, not personality, caused conformity. Social roles can strongly influence behaviour, even in psychologically healthy individuals.
How did participants identify with their social roles?
Guards internalised their roles and acted sadistically without instruction. Prisoners accepted their roles and became submissive, showing how social roles shape behaviour.
