Zimbardo's research KEYWORDS

Question 1

What was Milgram’s Study?

Answer 1

• subjects were randomly assigned roles of prisoner and guard
• both groups were treated like their given roles with things such as uniforms
• Done by Haney et al (1973) at Stanford University

Question 2

What was the aim of the study?

Answer 2

• To find out to what extent we conform to the expectations that people have of us (in relation to social roles)

Question 3

What were the findings?

Answer 3

• both the prisoners and the guards began t take up their roles with enthusiasm with the guards became harsh, unforgiving and violent.
• The prisoners began to rebel and become abusive
• The study was ended after 6 days instead of 14 because of possible physical and mental damage to the subjects

Question 4

what are social roles?

Answer 4

• The parts people play in society (such as police, parent, student etc.)
• these are accompanied by expectations we have of what behaviour is appropriate in each role

Question 5

what were the strengths of the study?

Answer 5

• researchers had some control over the variables
• high internal validity (more confident conclusion)
• high internal validity because quantitive data showed the situation was real to the participants

Question 6

what were the weaknesses of the study?

Answer 6

• suggested that people were acting out stereotypes rather than being genuine
• suggestion that Zimbardo’s conclusion may have been overstated - minimised too much the role of personality factors (dispositional influences)
• other studies conducted (BBC 2006) used social identity theory but didn’t get the same results (guards didn’t conform)
• many ethical issues!! deception, harm etc.