Social Influence: Zimbardo AO3

Question 1

What is 1 strength of Zimbardo’s study? and how?

Answer 1

Control of key variables
- because of the Selection of participants

Question 2

How were the participants selected?

Answer 2

• Emotionally stable individuals were chosen
• Participants were randomly assigned to roles

Question 3

What is the purpose of controlling the key variables?

Answer 3

To rule out individual personality differences

Question 4

What does controlling the key variables lead to overall?

Answer 4

Overall increases INTERNAL VALIDITY

Question 5

Because of the strength (control of key variables) behaviour was due to?

Answer 5

Behaviour was due to role itself

Question 6

Who were the researchers that found a limitation on Zimbardo’s experiment?

Answer 6

Banuazizi & Mohavedi

Question 7

What is the first limitation?

Answer 7

Lack of realism

Question 8

Describe one of the limitations (lack of realism).

Answer 8

• Participants were merely playacting, not conforming to a role
• These performances were based on stereotypes

Question 9

What is the 2nd limitation of Zimbardo’s experiment?

Answer 9

Demand characteristics

Question 10

What is demand characteristics in regards to Zimbardo’s experiment?

Answer 10

Participants knew that they were taking part an experiment and knew they were being observed
=> they could have acted based on what is expected of them