Conformity to social roles: Zimbardo

Question 1

what was the aim of the Stanford Prison Experiment

Answer 1

to investigate if prison brutality happens because of the personality of guards or because of conformity to social roles

Question 2

outline procedure of SPE

Answer 2

• basement of university was turned into a mock prison
• 21/75 volunteers were recruited to take part
• P randomly allocated either the role of a prisoner or guard
• Zimbardo observed the controlled environment

Question 3

what type of experiment was the standford prison experiment

Answer 3

controlled experiment

Question 4

what conclusion did Zimbardos prison experiment reach

Answer 4

prison violence is due to conformity of social roles because it occurs when normal people are put in prison

Question 5

how did the guards act

Answer 5

• brutal
  > abused prisoners, made them work

Question 6

how did the prisoners act

Answer 6

• they rioted and rebelled until the guards stopped them
• they then followed orders etc