conformity to social roles- social influence Flashcards
what was zimbardos research
stanford prison experiment- mock prison in baement of stanford uni
selected 21 men tested as emotionally stable
students radnomly assigned to play role of prison guard or prisoner
prisoner and guards encouraged to conform to social roles through uniforms and instructions about behaviour
uniforms- prisons given smock to wear and cap cover hair, identified by numbers. guards had own uniform relfectig status of role, handcuffs, wooden club, mirror shades, unfirms created loss of personal identity and meant more likely to conform
instructions about behaviour- prisoners identigy role through procedures, rather than leaving study early prisoners apply for parole, guards encourage play role remdinded they had complete power over priosners
what were the findings of zimbardos research
guards took up their roles with enthusiasm treating prisoners harshly
within two days prisoners rebelled- ripped unfiroms and shouted and swore at guards who retaliated with fire extinguishers
guards used divide and rule tactic playing prisoners off one another
harrassed prisoners constantlyto remind powerlessness- conducted headcounts
highlighted differences in social roles but creating opportunities to enforce rules and administer punishments
after rebellion prisoners became subdued depressed anxious
one released showed symptoms psychological disturbance
two more released on 4th day
one went on hunger strike and tried to force feed him and punished him by putting him in the hole (tiny dark closet)
guards identified more closely with role
behaviour become increasingly brutal and aggressive and some appearing to enjoy power they had
ended study after day six out of fourteen
what were the conclusions from zimbarods study about social roles
social roles strong influence on behaviour
guards- brutal and prisoners- submisisve
roles easily taken on by all pps
even volunteers who came in to perform specific functions found themselves behaving as if they were in a prison rather than psychological study
what was control (eval)
zim and colleagues had control over key variables
selection of pps- emotionally stable chosena dn randomly assigned to roles of guard and prisoner
researcjers ruled out individual personality differences as explanation of findings
degree of control increased internal validity
more confident in drawing conclusions about influence of roles on conformity
what was lack of realism (eval)
did not have realism of true prison
researchers argued prisoners play acting rather than conforming
pps performances based on stereotypes of how prisoners and guards supposed to behave
one guards claimed based role on brutal chacrater from Cool Hnad Luke
explain why prisoners rioted- thought thats what rela prisoners did
suggests findings tell us little about conformity to social roles in actual prisons
mcdermott- pps did behave as if prison real to them
90% prisoners conversations were about prison life
discussed how they could leave before sentences were over
prisoner 416 explained how he believed the prsion was real one but run by psychologists rather than gov
spe did replicate social roles of prisoners and guards in real prison giving study high degree of internal validity
what is exaggerates power of roles (eval)
exaggerated power of social roels to influence behaviour
one third guards behaved in brutal manner
another third tried apply rules fairly
rest actively tried to help and support prisoners- synpathised, offered cigs, reinstated privileges
most guards able to resist situational pressures to conform to brutal role
siggests overstated his view spe pps conforming to social rles and minimised influence of dispositional factors
