Social influence 2 | Conformity to social roles as investigated by Zimbardo.

Question 1

AO1: Aim of Zimbardo’s study

Answer 1

To investigate how individuals conform to social roles in a simulated prison environment.

Question 2

AO1: Sample used in Zimbardo’s study

Answer 2

24 male university students from the USA who were screened for psychological stability.

Question 3

AO1: How participants were allocated roles

Answer 3

Randomly assigned to either the role of prisoner or guard.

Question 4

AO1: How Zimbardo increased realism in the study

Answer 4

Prisoners were arrested at their homes without warning and subjected to a dehumanising prison experience, including being stripped and deloused.

Question 5

AO1: Behaviour of guards in Zimbardo’s study

Answer 5

Guards became increasingly abusive, humiliating and punishing prisoners, demonstrating strong conformity to their assigned roles.

Question 6

AO1: Behaviour of prisoners in Zimbardo’s study

Answer 6

Initially resisted but later became passive and submissive as they internalised their roles.

Question 7

AO1: Ethical concerns of the study

Answer 7

Participants experienced significant psychological distress and were not adequately protected from harm.

Question 8

AO1: Why the study was stopped early

Answer 8

Originally planned for 14 days but stopped after 6 days due to extreme reactions from participants.

Question 9

AO1: Conclusion of Zimbardo’s study

Answer 9

Situational factors and assigned roles strongly influence behaviour, leading individuals to act in ways they normally wouldn’t.

Question 10

AO3: Strength - Real-world applications

Answer 10

The study helps explain real-life prison abuses such as Abu Ghraib, showing how situational factors contribute to dehumanising behaviour.

Question 11

AO3: Weakness - Ethical issues

Answer 11

Participants suffered extreme psychological distress, and Zimbardo’s dual role as researcher and superintendent meant he failed to protect them.

Question 12

AO3: Weakness - Lack of realism

Answer 12

Banuazizi and Mohavedi (1975) argued participants were acting based on media stereotypes rather than truly conforming.

Question 13

AO3: Weakness - Dispositional factors ignored

Answer 13

Not all guards were aggressive and some prisoners resisted, suggesting personality differences played a role rather than just situational factors.