Describe and evaluate the procedure of Zimbardo’s research into social roles. (Total 8 marks)

Model Answer:

Zimbardo’s research involved 21 emotionally stable male volunteers who were selected after psychological screening. These participants were randomly assigned to the roles of prisoners or guards in a mock prison set up at Stanford University. Guards were given authority and provided with uniforms, mirrored sunglasses, and truncheons, while prisoners were dehumanised by wearing smocks and being referred to only by assigned numbers. The study aimed to observe how individuals conformed to their social roles in a controlled environment.

One strength of Zimbardo’s research is its real-world applications. (Point) This is because the findings helped to explain the abusive behaviour observed in environments such as Abu Ghraib prison, showing how situational factors like authority and dehumanisation influence behaviour. (Because) This is valuable as it provides insights into how to improve conditions in institutional settings by emphasising accountability and oversight. (Why) However, a limitation of the study is its lack of ecological validity. (Counterargument) The artificial setting of a mock prison may not accurately reflect the complexities of real prisons, making it difficult to generalise the findings to real-world contexts.