CONFORMITY TO SOCIAL ROLES

• ZIMBARDO (1973) THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT (SPE):

  Procedure = 

  He set up a mock prison in the basement of the psychology department at Stanford University to investigate the effect of social roles on conformity. 

  21 male student volunteers were involved in the study - selected by psychological testing that showed them to be ‘emotionally stable’. They were randomly allocated to the role of guard or prisoner.
• The social roles were encouraged by 2 routes: 

  1. Uniform = prisoners were strip-searched, given a uniform and number (no names), this encouraged de-individuation. Guards enforced rules, had own uniform with handcuffs etc. 
  2. Instructions about behaviour = prisoners were told they could not leave but would have to ask for parole. Guards were told they had to complete power prisoners. 
• Findings and conclusions 


  The guards played their roles enthusiastically and treated prisoners harshly. 

  The prisoners rebelled within 2 days - they ripped their uniforms, shouted and swore at the guards. 

  The guards retaliated with fire extinguishers and harassed the prisones - reminder of their powerless role (e.g frequent headcounts, including at night).
• Findings and conclusions 


  The guards behaviour threatened the prisoners psychological and physical health. For example:

  1. After the rebellion was put down, the prisoners became subdued, anxious and depressed. 
  2. Three prisoners were released early because they showed signs of psychological disturbance. 
  3. One prisoner went on hunger strike; the guards attempted to force feed him and punished him by putting him in ‘the hole’, a tiny dark closet. 

  The study was stopped after 6 days instead of the planned 14 days. 
• conclusions 


  Social roles are powerful influences on behaviour - most conformed strongly to their role. 

  Guards became brutal, prisoners became submissive.

  Other volunteers also easily conformed to their roles in the prison (e.g the chaplain).