Describe how Zimbardo investigated conformity to social roles.
AQA
A Level
Social Psychology
Free Essay
The Stanford Prison Experiment: Investigating Conformity to Social Roles
Philip Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment (1971) stands as one of the most well-known, and controversial, studies in psychology. While ethically questionable, it provided valuable insight into how readily individuals conform to assigned social roles, even when those roles clash with their personal morals. Zimbardo's methodology played a key role in the study's impact and subsequent controversy.
Methodology: Creating a Simulated Prison Environment
Zimbardo aimed for realism in his investigation. He transformed the basement of Stanford University's psychology building into a mock prison environment. This setting, while artificial, was designed to create a sense of confinement and authority.
Participant Selection and Role Assignment
The study employed a participant observation design. Zimbardo recruited 24 male college student volunteers who were deemed emotionally stable after extensive psychological testing. These participants were randomly assigned to the roles of either "prisoner" or "guard." This random assignment was crucial, as it aimed to eliminate pre-existing personality differences as an explanation for the observed behaviors.
Controlling the Environment and Inducing Role Conformity
To further enhance the study's realism, Zimbardo implemented several measures:
- "Arrests" and Deindividuation: Prisoners were unexpectedly "arrested" at their homes by real police officers, further adding to the study's authenticity. They were brought to the mock prison, fingerprinted, blindfolded, stripped searched, and issued uniforms. This process was designed to humiliate and deindividuate the prisoners, stripping them of their personal identities.
- Symbols of Authority and Power: Guards were given uniforms, reflective sunglasses (preventing eye contact), whistles, and batons – symbols of authority intended to establish their dominance within the simulated prison.
- Strict Regulations and Routines: Prisoners faced a heavily regulated daily routine, controlled entirely by the guards who worked in shifts. This constant surveillance and control further reinforced the power imbalance within the simulated environment.
- Dehumanization: Prisoners were referred to only by their assigned numbers, wore nylon stocking caps (simulating shaved heads), and donned ill-fitting smocks. These measures further dehumanized the prisoners, making it easier for the guards to treat them poorly.
Observational Study: Ethical Concerns and Early Termination
The study was designed as an overt observation, meaning both prisoners and guards were aware they were being observed. Researchers watched the participants' interactions unfold, both directly and through video recordings.
However, the study, initially planned for two weeks, was prematurely terminated after only six days. The guards became increasingly authoritarian and abusive, engaging in psychologically harmful behavior towards the prisoners. The prisoners, in turn, exhibited signs of extreme stress, anxiety, and depression. This rapid and severe deterioration of behavior highlighted the potent influence of social roles and the ethical concerns inherent in such research.
Conclusion: Emphasizing the Power of the Situation
While ethically controversial, Zimbardo's study demonstrated the profound impact of situational factors on human behavior. His methodology, with its emphasis on creating a realistic and immersive prison environment, played a crucial role in demonstrating how readily individuals conform to assigned social roles, even when those roles lead to harmful and unethical actions.