Conformity to Social Roles- Zimbardo’s Research
Key Terms
- Social roles- The ‘parts’ people play as members of various social
groups. Everyday examples include parent, child, student,
passenger and so on. These are accompanied by expectations we
and others have of what is appropriate behaviour in each role. E.g.
caring, obedience, industrious etc.
The Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE)
Procedure
- 'Emotionally stable' students played roles of prisoners and guards
in prison simulation scheduled to last two weeks.
- Guards and prisoners had their own uniforms to emphasise their
social roles.
- Students were randomly assigned the roles of guards or prisoners.
- Participants were blindfolded, strip-searched, deloused and issued a
uniform and number.
- The social roles of the prisoners and guards were strictly divided.
- Daily routines were heavily regulated – there were 16 rules to
follow.
- Rules were enforced by the guards who worked in shifts, three at a
time.
- Prisoners didn’t use names, only numbers.
- Guards were told they had complete power over the prisoners, even
when deciding when they could go to the toilet.
Findings
- Within two days the prisoners rebelled against their harsh
treatment by the guards.
- Guards responded by harassing the prisoners constantly, to remind
them they were being monitored.
- Guards highlighted the differences in social roles by creating plenty
of opportunities to enforce the rules and punish misdemeanours.
- After the rebellion, prisoners became anxious, depressed and
subdued.
- One prisoner went on hunger strike and the guards attempted to
force feed him and then punished him by putting him in the hole – a
small, dark closet.
- Guards identified with their roles more closely – behaviour because
more brutal and aggressive.
Key Terms
- Social roles- The ‘parts’ people play as members of various social
groups. Everyday examples include parent, child, student,
passenger and so on. These are accompanied by expectations we
and others have of what is appropriate behaviour in each role. E.g.
caring, obedience, industrious etc.
The Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE)
Procedure
- 'Emotionally stable' students played roles of prisoners and guards
in prison simulation scheduled to last two weeks.
- Guards and prisoners had their own uniforms to emphasise their
social roles.
- Students were randomly assigned the roles of guards or prisoners.
- Participants were blindfolded, strip-searched, deloused and issued a
uniform and number.
- The social roles of the prisoners and guards were strictly divided.
- Daily routines were heavily regulated – there were 16 rules to
follow.
- Rules were enforced by the guards who worked in shifts, three at a
time.
- Prisoners didn’t use names, only numbers.
- Guards were told they had complete power over the prisoners, even
when deciding when they could go to the toilet.
Findings
- Within two days the prisoners rebelled against their harsh
treatment by the guards.
- Guards responded by harassing the prisoners constantly, to remind
them they were being monitored.
- Guards highlighted the differences in social roles by creating plenty
of opportunities to enforce the rules and punish misdemeanours.
- After the rebellion, prisoners became anxious, depressed and
subdued.
- One prisoner went on hunger strike and the guards attempted to
force feed him and then punished him by putting him in the hole – a
small, dark closet.
- Guards identified with their roles more closely – behaviour because
more brutal and aggressive.
