SI3. Conformity To Social Roles (Zimbardo)

Question 1

Zimbardo’s Study

Answer 1

• 24 male American undergrad students
• investigate how readily Pell,e would conform to social roles in a simulated environment
• Stanford Uni basement turned into prison, students paid, assigned as guard or prisoner, wore uniforms, prisoners referred to by number not name, guards given sunglasses and handcuffs, guards given control over prisoner behaviour; NO physical violence permitted

Question 2

Zimbardo’s Study Findings

Answer 2

• Identification occurred quickly
• Guards became more assertive, prisoners became more submissive (increased internalisation)
• Guards harshly tormented prisoners - and stated they enjoyed power.
• Prisoners talked only of prison issues (forgot life ‘outside’) - snitched to please guards; and would defend guards when other prisoners broke rules

Question 3

• Eval: Lacks Eco-Validity

Answer 3

• participants knew study wasn’t real
• claimed they simply acted in accordance with the expectations associated with their role, instead of genuinely adopting (internalising) it
• seen particularly in qualitative data gathered from guard interview; said he based his performance of guard role portrayed in “Cool Hand Luke”; reducing validity of the findings.

Question 4

• Eval: Ethical Issues

Answer 4

• informed consent: LACK OF; in order to avoid demand characteristics and participant reactivity
• HOWEVER, Zimbardo himself didn’t know the outcome, so potential justification for breach
• psychological harm: P’s not protected from stress, anxiety, distress or embarrassment (e.g. prisoner 8612 released early for excess stress, uncontrollable screaming and crying)