Zimbardo's study Flashcards
What was the aim of Zimbardo’s study?
To test conformity to social roles.
What is a social role?
All parts people play as members of social groups. All social roles come with expectations of what is appropriate behaviours in each role.
Where did it take place?
A mock prison was built in the basement of Stanford University.
How were the pps allocated to be a prisoner or guard.
Randomly allocated
What did the guards wear?
- Mirrored sunglasses
- Khaki shirt and trousers
- Night stick
- Whistle
What did the prisoners wear?
- Stocking cap
- Smock with ID number sewn on front and back
- No underwear
- Rubber sandals
- Chain and lock around the ankle
What were the results of Asch’s prison experiment?
- 5 prisoners had to be released early because of extreme emotional reactions and depression.
- Guards behaviour towards prisoners had become sadistic and inhumane
- Prisoners forced to perform degrading excercises for the guards amusment
What is deindividualisation?
A loss of self-awareness in groups to the point where responsibility for actions is lessened
What is diffusion of responsibility?
A person is less likley to take responsibility dor action when others are present
What is de-humanisation?
A psychological process whereby oppenents view each other as less than human and not deserving of moral considration.
Learned helplesness
A mental state wherby forced to bear an unplesent or painful stimuli a person becomes unable or unwilling to avoid susequent encounters , even if they are avoidable.
