conformity to social roles - Zimbardo

Question 1

What was zimbardos procedure in his study

Answer 1

• Placed an advert in the newspaper looking for male participants to take part in a study about the psychological effects of prison life
• participants who were selected went through psychological testing in order to eliminate candidates who were not mentally prepared
• each participants was given $15 a day and was randomly assigned to play guard or prisoner

Question 2

How did the participants show that they were conforming to social roles in the zimbardo prison experiment

Answer 2

• some prisoners revolted
• “prisoners “ and “ guards “ assumed their roles with zeal
• guards threatened the prisoners

Question 3

Although the Stanford prison experiment was due to run for several weeks, it was stopped after how many days because the prisoners behaviour deteriorated

Answer 3

6

Question 4

What was Orlando (1973) experiment

Answer 4

It was a mock psychiatric ward experiment. Orlando looked at how people conformed to roles given to them in an experiment in a mock psychiatric ward. The mock psychiatric ward was active for 3 days

Question 5

What was Orlando (1973) method

Answer 5

The mock psychiatric ward was active for three days.
51 staff members took part
29 volunteered as mock patients
22 worked their job as normal

Question 6

What was the results and conclusion of Orlando’s experiment

Answer 6

The mock patients quickly began acting like normal hospital patients. They conformed to their given roles.

• lots of patients showed signs of having withdrawal and depression
• six mock patients attempted the escape the ward
• some mock patients admitted to feelings of lost identity

Question 7

What did Orlando’s study improve

Answer 7

The study and similar studies gave insight into real participants experience in hospital.
It also influenced hospital staff to empathise with patients

Question 8

How many participants volunteered as mock patients in the Orlando (1973) mock psychiatric ward experiment

Answer 8

29

Question 9

How did the “guards” degrade the “prisoners”in the Stanford prison experiment

Answer 9

• lack of privacy
• lack of basic comforts like mattresses
• degrading chores
• late night counts

Question 10

What was the finding of zimbardos study

Answer 10

After a slow start the guards took up their roles with enthusiasm. The behaviour became a threat to the prisoners ( psychological and physical health ) and the study was stopped after 6 days instead of 14. Within 2 days the prisoners rebelled

Question 11

What was the conclusions from zimabrdos study

Answer 11

Guards, prisoners and researchers all conformed to their roles within the prison. The roles were taken on easily by the participants

Question 12

Pros of zimbardos study

Answer 12

• had control over variables- for example emotionally stable participants were chosen individuals where chosen and randomly assigned roles this ruled individual personality differences this increases internal validity