ZIMBARDO RESEARCH- Conformity

Question 1

What were the aims of the study?

Answer 1

=investigate the extent to which people would conform to the roles of guard and prisoner in a mock prison.

Question 2

When was the study?

Answer 2

1973

Question 3

Where did the study take place?

Answer 3

Psychology department of Stanford university.

Question 4

What was the procedure?

Answer 4

=24 males
=randomly assigned to roles of guards or prisoners
=made as realistic as possible (uniform,searched)
=guards given sunglasses (prevent eye contact) had handcuffs etc.
=3 to a cell
=16rules enforced by guards
=highly controlled routines- meals etc.

Question 5

What happened within 2 days of the start of the experiment?

Answer 5

=Prisoners rebelled.(shouted, swore and ripped their uniforms).
=guards harassed prisoners

Question 6

How did the study involve dehumanisation?

Answer 6

=no identity(number)
=shaven heads
=guards had full control over the prisoners.

Question 7

Findings?

Answer 7

=guard and prisoners settled into roles quickly.
=prisoners became anxious and depressed.
= 1 prisoner went on a hunger strike.
=

Question 8

How long was the study meant to last

Answer 8

2 weeks

Question 9

How long did the study last for?

Answer 9

6 days.
Zimbardo realised they harm it was causing.

Question 10

how did participants react when the study was over

Answer 10

=prisoners were relieved
=guards were upset

Question 11

What did the P say in the interviews about their behaviour?

Answer 11

They were surprised and shocked at the behaviours they had shown.

Question 12

Conclusions?

Answer 12

=the power of the situation influences behaviour and conformity.

Question 13

How is high ecological validity shown? (S)

Answer 13

=dressed appropriately.
=realistic
=behaviour was more natural
=findings can be applied to real life prisons.

Question 14

How were there ethical issues? (L)

Answer 14

=protection from harm.
=should have stopped the study