Social 3: Reicher And Haslam

Question 0

What were the IVs and DVs?

Answer 0

IV=
Cognitive alternatives: groups members awareness of ways in which social relations could be restructured in order to bring about social change
DAY 4= trade unionist

Permeability= chance for inferior group to be promoted to superior
Possibility of 1 prisoner being promoted to guard

Legitimacy= revealing to the PPs that selection process was random as previously told was psychologically chosen
NOT USED AS FELT UNNECESSARY

DV: PPs behaviour

Question 1

What was the aim?

Answer 1

To investigate behaviour of groups in unequal terms of power, status and resources.

Question 2

Who were the PPs and how were they obtained?

Answer 2

PPs= 15 males who met the criteria of being ‘normal’ and ‘well adjusted’, recruited through adverts, went from 250 applicants to 15 after psychometric testing (10P, 5G)

Question 3

What was the procedure?

Answer 3

-Guards given more power: keys to all doors inside prison, better food, ability to put prisoners on punishment

DAY 1: 9 prisoners arrive, heads shaved and everyday clothes removed

STAGE 1: prisoners told could be promoted to guard, one was chosen with no explanation

STAGE 2: trade unionist brought in (day 4), created a new self-governing system (egalitarian) but was insufficient so guards became tougher

Study ended day 8 as punishments began to break ethical guidelines.

Question 4

How did R&H ensure ethics?

Answer 4

-worked for 9 months to crate ideal
conditions using British Psychological Society
-2 independent psychologists and paramedics who could intervene at any point
-study constantly monitored by 5 person panel
-psychometric testing everyday

Question 5

What were the results?

How were they obtained?

Answer 5

CLINICAL= daily swabbing on saliva to test for cortisol (higher=more stressed)
SELF REPORT= daily psychometric testing asking how “authoritative” or “inferior” groups were feeling

STAGE 1
•Guards did not identify with role
•Prisoners acted individually rather than as a group

STAGE 2
•Prisoners identified as a group and overthrew guards
•Egalitarian system was insufficient

Decided it is powerlessness and failure of groups that makes tyranny psychologically possible.

Question 6

What are some possible improvements?

Answer 6

• PPs filmed so may be demand characteristics/social desirability= hidden cameras
• Results could be dispositional= PPs are more confident as applied, harsher conditions

Question 7

How were the PPs screened?

Answer 7

Went from 332 to 27 to 15.
1. Psychometric testing on social variables (authoritarianism, social dominance, racism) and clinical variables (depression, anxiety, self esteem etc)

2. Full weekend assessment by independent clinical psychologists
3. Medial and character references obtained, police checks

Question 8

What was the layout of the prison?

Answer 8

• 3-person cells
• Elstree Studios
• Sliding lockable steel mesh grilles between entrance+delivery areas
• Communal showers for prisoners
• Guards= dormitory, bathroom, mess room, exercise room + isolation
• Guards observation post about atrium