Outline the procedures and findings of Zimbardo's research into conformity to social roles. (Total 4 marks)

Model Answer:

Zimbardo’s research involved 21 emotionally stable male volunteers who were selected after psychological screening. They were randomly assigned to the roles of prisoners or guards in a mock prison set up at Stanford University. The guards were given uniforms, mirrored sunglasses, and truncheons to establish authority, while prisoners were dehumanised by wearing smocks and being referred to by numbers. The findings showed that participants quickly conformed to their assigned roles, with guards becoming increasingly authoritarian and prisoners becoming submissive, leading to the study being terminated after just six days instead of the planned two weeks.