Social roles (conformity)

• Who conducted the Stanford prison experiment in the 1970s?


  Philip Zimbardo
• What was the main question Zimbardo aimed to investigate in his research?


  Whether brutal behavior of prison guards was due to sadistic personalities or social roles
• What was the setup of the Stanford prison experiment (SPE)?


  • Mock prison created in Stanford University basement
  • 21 male student volunteers selected for emotional stability
  • Random assignment to roles of prison guard or prisoner
• How were the prisoners identified in the Stanford prison experiment?


  By number, as their names were never used
• What type of uniforms did the prisoners and guards wear in the SPE?


  Prisoners wore loose smocks and caps; guards wore uniforms with clubs and shades
• What psychological effect did the uniforms have on participants in the SPE?


  They created a loss of personal identity, leading to de-individuation
• How were the prisoners encouraged to identify with their roles?


  Through procedures like applying for parole instead of leaving early
• What tactics did the guards use to maintain control over the prisoners?


  They used divide-and-rule tactics and constant harassment
• What happened when the prisoners rebelled in the SPE?


  They ripped their uniforms and shouted at the guards
• What was the psychological state of the prisoners after their rebellion was suppressed?


  They became subdued, depressed, and anxious
• How long did Zimbardo originally intend for the SPE to last?


  14 days
• What conclusion did Zimbardo draw about social roles from the SPE?


  Social roles strongly influence individuals' behavior
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the SPE regarding control and realism?

  Strengths:

  • Control over key variables
  • Selection of emotionally stable participants

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lack of realism compared to actual prisons
  • Participants may have been play-acting rather than genuinely conforming
• What did Banuazizi and Movahedi argue about the realism of the SPE?


  They argued that participants were merely play-acting
• What did one of the guards claim influenced his behavior during the SPE?

  A brutal character from the film Cool Hand Luke
• How did the prisoners perceive their situation during the SPE?


  They believed they could not leave until their sentences were over
• What did Mark McDermott argue regarding the participants' behavior in the SPE?


  Participants behaved as if the prison was real to them
• What was the impact of the guards' power over the prisoners in the SPE?

  The guards became increasingly brutal and aggressive
• How many days did the SPE actually last?

  6 days
• What was the effect of the guards' behavior on the prisoners?

  Prisoners became submissive and compliant