Chapter 17: Problem 3

Did the study have to be this realistic to test the hypothesis that Zimbardo wanted to test? Can you think of alternative ways that Zimbardo could have designed his study to test his hypothesis? Would these ways have yielded the same results? Why or why not?

Short Answer

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The realism in Zimbardo's experiment was critical for inducing participants to internalize their roles. Although there might be other ways to test the hypothesis, such as less realistic role-play scenarios or interviews, they may not elicit the same intense responses due to lacking realism or potential bias.

Step by step solution

Understanding Zimbardo's Hypothesis

First of all, understand the hypothesis that Zimbardo wanted to test. It was about the effect of role-playing, labeling and social expectations on behavior. He aimed to demonstrate that social roles and situational variables can impact people’s behaviors more than their individual personality traits.

Assessing the Necessity of Realism in the Study

Once the hypothesis is understood, assess if the realism of the study was essential or not for testing it. In Zimbardo's experiment, the adoption of roles as prisoners and guards was heavily reliant on a realistic setting. Hence, the study's realism was possibly necessary to induce the suitable environment for participants to internalize their roles.

Thinking of Alternative Study Designs

Next, conceive alternative methods to test the hypothesis. Instead of a realistic simulation, role-play scenarios with less realism could be used. Another alternative might be conducting surveys or interviews, asking people how they would behave in a given situation. However, remember that these alternatives might not evoke the same intensity of behavior as in a realistic environment.

Predicting the Outcome of Alternative Ways

After proposing alternative ways, predict if they would yield the same results. It can be considered that less realistic models might not produce the same intensity of reactions as Zimbardo’s original experiment. Monitored interviews or surveys might also suffer from social desirability bias.

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Did the study have to be this realistic to test the hypothesis that Zimbardo wanted to test? Can you think of alternative ways that Zimbardo could have designed his study to test his hypothesis? Would these ways have yielded the same results? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Zimbardo's Hypothesis

Assessing the Necessity of Realism in the Study

Thinking of Alternative Study Designs

Predicting the Outcome of Alternative Ways

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