Dispositional Factors - Zimbardo et al study

• Individual differences may have played a part, some participants may have personalities more inclined to conform.
• Stereotypes may have influenced participants conformity. One of the guards claimed he based his role on a character from the film 'Cool Hand Luke'.
• Fromm (1973) suggested individual differences may play a part, as only one-third of the guards acted in a brutal manner.
• Personality characteristics such as an Authoritarian Personality may explain some of the findings. These types value authority and would follow the rules. This may influence their likelihood to conform.