Reicher & Haslam Flashcards
Method
Experimental case study
Background & aim
. Zimbardo’s SPE, concluded that simply being put into a role is enough to create tyrannical behaviours
. R&H disagreed, social identity theory(SIT) may provide better explanations
. Revisit the situation but avoid some of the methodical criticisms of the SPE and to test whether SIT can explain group behaviours within the environment
Sample
. Advertised for volunteers in newspaper
. 332 applied but reduced to 15 by a range of psychometric tests & clinical assessments to ensure suitability
Procedure
. Ps put into 3 groups, matched on racism, authoritarianism & social dominance
. 2 prisoners & 1 guard picked randomly from each group
. 9 prisoners & 5 guards entered prison first
. 1 prisoner added on day 4
. Guards were inducted and devised prison rules. No physical violence allowed.
. Next day prisoners brought in individually, had heads shaved, given prisoner uniforms and a number
.observed via CCTV. Completed psychometric tests and physiological tests daily
. 3 interventions were implemented. Guard promotion possibility (permeability) on day 1, no more promotion (impermeable) day 3 and trade unionist (cognitive alternatives) on day 4
Results
. Guards did not develop group identity; could not agree norms
. Before guard promotion, prisoners worked as individuals
. After day 3, roles were fixed, prisoners developed group identity & challenged guards, led to shift in power & collapse of prisoner/guard system
. Day 6 prisoners broke out of cells, all participants decided to continue as a ‘commune’
. Day 8 more authoritarianism system proposed by some of participants - study ended for ethical reasons
. Guards - SI decreased, depression increased
. Prisoners - SI increased, depression decreased
. All participants showed increase in authoritarianism
Conclusions & implications
. Roles alone are not enough to create tyranny
. Strong social identity allows group to be effective but also positive for mental health, weak SI has opposite effect
. It is possible to design and run powerful psychological research studies that are also ethical
