Zimbardo

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To test conformity to social roles and he also did it to analyse police brutality as guards had a sadistic personality and zimbardo wanted to see if it was really their personality or just them conforming to social roles and a stronger role of ‘identification’.

Question 2

Sample

Answer 2

21 healthy young men assigned as ‘guards’ or ‘prisoners’ from being volunteers.
The guards got given fake uniforms and mirrored shades and a wooden bat and handcuffs

Question 3

Specific example of the identification

Answer 3

‘John Wayne’ became aggressive and he said he was just following a guard role and the other guards acted aggressive to and went along with him but secretly gave out treats which is compliance

Question 4

Findings

Answer 4

36 hours- prisoner left crying and had fits of rage
Day 4-several other prisoners acted the same and one went on a hunger strike
Day 6-The prisoners were happy it’s over and guards were upset the study was meant to be 2 weeks

Question 5

Weaknesses of study

Answer 5

Major ethical issues-
Participants were told they had a right to withdraw even though some weren’t aloud
Although participants had informed consent it was more of an ‘illusion’ as they didn’t know what they was actually getting into

All male study so not generalisable

Not realistic and we’re ‘play acting’ which a few participants felt like they was in a cool film

Question 6

Support of the study

Answer 6

High levels of control due to controlled setting and random allocation of roles of guards and prisoner so no bias

Practical application as it shares how real prisoners are treated and spread awareness leading to better treatment for prisoners