Social Influence- Conformity to social roles: Zimbardo's research Flashcards
Social roles - The ‘parts’ people play as members of various social groups. Everyday examples include parent, child, student, passenger and so on. These are accompanied by expectations we and others have of what is appropriate behaviour in each role, for example caring, obedient, industrious, etc.
What was the aim of the Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE)?
To investigate whether prison guards behave brutally due to sadistic personalities or if the situation creates such behavior.
What was the procedure of the SPE?
Zimbardo set up a mock prison in Stanford University’s basement. Emotionally stable students were randomly assigned roles as guards or prisoners. Prisoners were arrested at home, strip-searched, deloused, and given uniforms and numbers. Guards wore uniforms and were given authority over prisoners, including control over basic needs like using the toilet.
How were the roles of prisoners and guards enforced in the SPE?
Prisoners followed 16 strict rules enforced by guards working in shifts. Prisoners were referred to by numbers, not names. Guards wore uniforms with wooden clubs, handcuffs, keys, and mirror shades to emphasize their authority.
What were the findings of the SPE?
Guards became increasingly brutal, and prisoners became subdued, depressed, and anxious. The study was stopped after six days due to the psychological harm inflicted. Prisoners rebelled initially, but after the rebellion was crushed, they became passive. One prisoner was released early due to psychological distress, and others showed signs of severe anxiety.
What conclusions did Zimbardo draw from the SPE?
The simulation revealed the power of the situation to influence behavior. Guards, prisoners, and even visitors conformed to their roles, demonstrating how social roles can shape behavior.
What is a strength of the SPE regarding control?
Zimbardo controlled variables by selecting emotionally stable participants and randomly assigning roles. This increased internal validity, allowing conclusions about situational influences on behavior.
What is a criticism of the SPE regarding realism?
Banuazizi and Mohavedi (1975) argued participants were play-acting based on stereotypes of prisoners and guards. For example, one guard modeled his behavior after a character from Cool Hand Luke. However, Zimbardo argued the situation felt real to participants, as 90% of prisoners’ conversations were about prison life.
What is a criticism of the SPE regarding dispositional influences?
Fromm (1973) argued Zimbardo overstated situational influences and underplayed personality factors. Only a third of guards behaved brutally, another third enforced rules fairly, and the rest supported prisoners. This suggests individuals could exercise choice despite situational pressures.
What did Reicher and Haslam’s BBC prison study find?
In their replication, prisoners took control of the mock prison and harassed the guards. The researchers used social identity theory to explain this, arguing the guards failed to develop a shared identity, while the prisoners identified as a cohesive group resisting their roles.
How does the BBC prison study challenge Zimbardo’s conclusions?
The findings challenge Zimbardo’s conclusion that people passively conform to social roles, showing instead that group identity and resistance can override situational pressures.
What ethical issues arose in the SPE?
Zimbardo’s dual role as superintendent and researcher created ethical concerns. For example, when a participant asked to leave, Zimbardo responded as a superintendent worried about the prison’s functioning, not as a researcher prioritizing participant welfare.
Why is Zimbardo’s dual role an ethical limitation?
It blurred the line between the experiment and reality, potentially compromising participant welfare and ethical standards. Zimbardo prioritized the study’s integrity over the participants’ well-being.
What does the SPE reveal about the power of social roles?
The study demonstrates how social roles can shape behavior, with participants conforming to expectations of guards and prisoners, even when it led to psychological harm.
How did the guards’ behavior escalate in the SPE?
Guards became increasingly brutal, using divide-and-rule tactics, harassment, and punishments like solitary confinement to enforce their authority. Some guards appeared to enjoy their power over the prisoners.
What happened to the prisoners during the SPE?
Prisoners initially rebelled but became passive and anxious after the rebellion was crushed. Some experienced severe psychological distress, leading to early release, while others became depressed and subdued.
What does the SPE suggest about situational influences on behavior?
The study suggests that situational factors, such as assigned roles and environmental pressures, can significantly influence behavior, often overriding individual personality traits.
How did Zimbardo justify the realism of the SPE?
Zimbardo pointed to evidence that participants treated the situation as real, such as prisoners’ conversations focusing on prison life and one prisoner describing the prison as real but run by psychologists.
What does the SPE reveal about individual differences in conformity to roles?
The study shows that not all participants conformed equally. While some guards were brutal, others were fair or supportive, indicating individual differences in how people respond to situational pressures.
What is the broader significance of the SPE?
The SPE highlights the potential for situational factors to shape behavior in powerful ways, raising important questions about the influence of social roles and environments in real-life settings like prisons.
