A03

• One strength

  Point – One strength of Zimbardo’s study is that he controlled for the

  individual differences of his participants

  Evidence – For example, he ensured that all his participants were

  assessed as being psychologically stable prior to the start of the study

  Explanation – This means that we can be sure that any changes in the

  participant’s behaviour is the direct result of the social roles that they

  were assigned.

  Link – This is a strength as it allows us to establish a cause and effect

  relationship between the roles given (IV) and the behaviours exhibited

  (DV)
• 2nd Strength

  Point – One strength of Zimbardo’s study is that it used a realistic

  setting

  Evidence – For example, McDermott (2019) argued that

  participants behaved as if the study was real to them, with 90% of

  conversations being focused on prison life.

  Explanation – This is important because it suggests that the

  environment created by Zimbardo is an accurate simulation of a

  real prison setting.

  Link – This is a strength as it suggests the study was realistic, and

  therefore higher in ecological validity.