Social Influence - Zimbardo Research Flashcards
What are 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 procedure of Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment?
Zimbardo set up a mock prison in the basement of the psychology department at Stanford University. He selected 21 ‘emotionally stable’ students after extensive psychological testing. They were randomly assigned to the roles of guards or prisoners. The prisoners were arrested in their homes by local police and were blindfolded, strip-searched, deloused, and issued a uniform and number. Guards were instructed to enforce 16 rules for prisoners, who could only refer to themselves by their assigned numbers. The guards wore uniforms, dark glasses, and carried wooden clubs. They had complete power over the prisoners, including deciding when they could go to the toilet.
What were the findings of the SPE?
After a slow start, the guards took up their roles with enthusiasm, treating prisoners harshly. Within two days, the prisoners rebelled by ripping their uniforms and shouting at guards. Guards retaliated with fire extinguishers and harassed the prisoners constantly. Prisoners became subdued and depressed. One prisoner was released after showing symptoms of psychological disturbance. The study was terminated after six days instead of 14 due to concerns for the participants’ wellbeing. Zimbardo concluded that people conform to social roles, and the power of the situation influences behaviour.
What conclusion did Zimbardo draw from the experiment?
Zimbardo concluded that the simulation revealed the power of the situation to influence people’s behaviour. Guards, prisoners, and researchers all conformed to their roles within the prison. These roles were taken on very easily by participants, even volunteers who came in to perform specific functions like ‘prison chaplain.’
What is one evaluation point for Zimbardo’s research on control?
A strength of the SPE is that Zimbardo and his colleagues had some control over variables, such as the selection of participants, ensuring they were emotionally stable. This increased internal validity, making it more likely the behaviour was due to the pressures of the situation and not individual personality differences.
What is one evaluation point on the realism of the SPE?
Banuazizi and Mohavedi (1975) argued the participants were merely play-acting rather than genuinely conforming to a role. Performances were based on stereotypes. For example, one guard claimed he had based his role on a brutal character from the film Cool Hand Luke. However, Zimbardo pointed out that 90% of prisoners’ conversations were about prison life, indicating the situation was real to the participants.
What is one evaluation point on dispositional influences in the SPE?
Fromm (1973) accused Zimbardo of exaggerating the power of the situation to influence behaviour. For example, only a third of the guards behaved in a brutal manner. Another third actively tried to help and support the prisoners by sympathising with them. This suggests that Zimbardo’s conclusion—that participants conformed to social roles—may be overstated.
What is another evaluation point regarding research support for the SPE?
Reicher and Haslam’s (2006) BBC prison study showed that prisoners took control, rejecting their assigned roles. This suggests Zimbardo’s findings may lack reliability, as they cannot always be replicated under similar conditions.
