Social Influence - Conformity to Social Roles Flashcards
What is meant by ‘social role’?
The sets of behaviours and expectations that come with holding these positions.
These expectations of a role are held by society. When we accept a gold, we internalise these expectations so that they shape our behaviour.
Who studied conformity to social roles?
Zimbardo et al (1973)
Stanford Prison Experiment
Outline Zimbardo et al’s method for the Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE).
Male students were recruited to act as either guards or prisoners in a mock prison.
They were randomly given the roles of prisoner or guard, and their behaviour was observed. The prisoners were ‘arrested’ as they went about their day, taken to ‘prison’ and given uniforms and numbers. The guards also wore uniforms and mirrored sunglasses.
What were the results of the SPE?
Initially, the guards tried to assert their authority and the prisoners resisted by sticking together.
The prisoners then became more passive and obedient, while the guards invented nastier punishments.
The experiment was abandoned early because some prisoners became very distressed.
What was the conclusion of the SPE?
Guards and prisoners adapted their social roles quickly.
Zimbardo claims this shows that our social role can influence our behaviour — seemingly well-balanced men because unpleasant and aggressive in the role of the guard.
Evaluation for Zimbardo et al (1973)?
You may have some that aren’t on this list — that’s okay!
Controlled observation:
(+)Good control of variables
(+)Because it was artificial environment, the results can’t really be generalised to real-life situations.
(-) Observer bias
Zimbardo assigned himself the role of the prison warden and later admitted that he became too personally involved with he situation.
(-) The conclusion Zimbardo reached doesn’t explain why only some of the participants acted according to their assigned roles.
Ethics:
(-) Some participants came to be severely distressed and showed symptoms of PTSD.
