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Conformity to Social Roles (Zimbardo) - Coggle Diagram
Conformity to Social Roles (Zimbardo)
procedure:
Zimbardo et al. (1973) mock prison in basement of psych dept in stanford uni
21 male student volunteers, selected by testing showing they are emotonally stable
arrested at home, randomly allocated prisoner or guard
prisoners were stripped, deloused, given a uniform and a number (encouraging de-individualisation)
guards had khaki uniform, sunglasses, whistle and button
guards had complete power over citizens
findings:
guards roles enthusiastically and trated prisoners harshly
prisoners rebelled within 2 days, ripped uniform, swore
didnt allow the prisoners to eat, drink, made them lick toilets and stand on parade in the middle of the night
guard retailiated; fire extinguishers harassed prisoners, reminder they are powerless
guards behaviour threatened priosners' psychological health and physical health
prisoners were subdued, anxious and depressed after
3 prisoners were released early due to psychological disturbance
study was stopped after 6 days rather than the planned 14
conclusion:
social roles; powerful influence on behaviour, most conformed strongly
guards = brutal
prisoners = submissive
evaluation:
strength
: control of key variables
emotionallt stab;e participants were recruites and randomly allocated a role. by chance, behaviour due to role not personalilty
more confidence in drawing conclusions
high internal validity
limitation:
lacks realism
Banuazizi and Mohavedi (1975) play acting, reflecting stereotypes
one guard based his role on a charcter froma film as he thoughht thats what actually happened
suggests there is little found about conformity to social roles
lack of validity
counterpoint:
participants acted if it was real90% of conversations belived real, 416 thought it was run by psychologists.
limitation:
exaggerated power roles
Fromm (1973) power of social roles influence behaviour may be exaggerated, only 1/3 guards behaved brutally, another 1/3 fairly followed rules, others helped prisoners gave cigs
suggests its overstated, guards conformed to brutal role and minimised dispositional influences
not reliable