SOCIAL APPROACH
Core Study 2:
Reicher, S. & Halsam, S. A. (2006)
Rethinking the psychology of tyranny.
The BBC prison study.
Content Page
1. Approach & Behaviour
2. Aim & Hypothesis
3. Method
3a. Method, Design, Variables
3b. Location, Control, Ethical Issues
3c. Sample & Participants
3d. Apparatus
3e. Procedure
4. Data Collection
5. Results/Findings
6. Conclusions
7. Exam Style Questions
1. Approach & Behaviour: R&H

What behaviour was being studied?

Why was the study performed?
2. Aim & Hypothesis: R&H

What were the aims of the study?

What method was used?
3a. Method, Design, & Variables

What is the research method used by R&H?

What are the design features of this study?
3a. Method, Design, & Variables


What are the 3 IV’s?
1.
2.
3.
What are the DV’s??
3b. Location, Control, Ethics

Where did the study take place?

Did R&H put in any control measures?

Were any ethical issues raised? If so how did R&H
overcome these issues?
3c. Sample & Participants

Who was the target population?

What sampling technique did R&H use?


Describe the sample: Number, Age, Gender,
Ethnicity, Occupation etc.
How were the participants allocated to the role of
guard/prisoner?
3d. Apparatus

What apparatus did R&H use?

What materials were required?
3e. Procedures
Comment on the guards
Comment on the prisoners
3e. Procedures
Write a step-by-step plan of what happened during
the experiment:
Start
with participant arriving
End with participant leaving
4. Data Collection
How was data gathered?

What quantitative data was recorded?

What qualitative data was recorded?
5. Results/Findings
List 8 KEY finding from the research
-
-Include
data where possible, both qualitative and
quantitative
6. Conclusions
Locate research findings to support these conclusions:
1. People do not automatically conform to group or
social norms.
2. Groups with power do not always act
tyrannically.
3. Failing, powerless groups can lead to tyranny.
4. The breakdown of groups creates conditions
under which tyranny can develop.
7. Exam Style
Questions
- Section A
- Section B
ESQ: Section A
January 2009
 Describe how the sample was recruited in Reicher and Haslam’s BBC prison
study. (4)
June 2009
 From Reicher and Haslam’s BBC prison study outline two reasons why the
prisoners were given uniforms. (4)
January 2010
Reicher and Haslam studied the behaviour of prisoners and guards in a
simulated prison.
 Outline one way the researchers tried to ensure ethical guidelines were
upheld. (2)
 Outline one reason why stress or psychological harm is an ethical concern
in this study. (2)
ESQ: Section A
June 2010
From Reicher and Haslam’s BBC prison study:

Describe what is meant by the term tyranny. (2)

Describe one of the variables manipulated to create a situation in which tyranny could
develop. (2)
January 2011
From Reicher and Haslam’s BBC prison study:

Describe how permeability was created. (2)

Outline how the behaviour of the prisoners changed once the groups had become
impermeable.
June 2011
The Reicher and Haslam’s BBC prison study can be considered an experimental case study.

Outline why the study might be considered an experiments. (2)

Outline why this study may be considered a case study. (2)
ESQ: Section A
January 2012
From Reicher and Haslam’s BBC prison study:

Describe the screening process which reduced the initial pool of 332 applicants to 27
participants. (4)
June 2012
From Reicher and Haslam’s BBC prison study:

Outline one way in which the study had high ecological validity. (2)

Outline one way in which the study had low ecological validity. (2)
January 2013
From Reicher and Haslam’s BBC prison study:

Describe the prison environment created for this study. (4)
June 2013
From Reicher and Haslam’s BBC prison study:

Outline how the variable of permeability was manipulated. (2)

Outline the behaviour of prisoners during the permeability period in this study. (2)
June 2014
From Reicher and Haslam’s BBC prison study:

Suggest two weaknesses of recording this psychological study for television. (4)
ESQ: Section B
June 2011:






Briefly outline how qualitative data was gathered in your
chosen study. (2)
Describe two examples of qualitative data recorded in
your chosen study. (4)
With reference to your chosen study, suggest one strength
and one weakness of qualitative data. (6)
Describe how your chosen study was conducted. (8)
Suggest how your chosen study could be improved. (8)
Outline the implications of your changes you have
suggested from your chosen study. (8)
ESQ: Section B
June 2014






Outline why your chosen study was conducted. (2)
Describe how the self-report method was used to gather
data in your chosen study. (4)
Describe one strength and one weakness of gathering
data using self-reports. Support your answer with
evidence from your chosen study. (6)
Outline the findings from your chosen study. (8)
Suggest improvements to your chosen study. (8)
Evaluate the improvements you have suggested to your
chosen study. (8)
7. Exam Tips
Issues to be considered
 Strengths/weaknesses of
laboratory experiments
 Strengths/weaknesses case
studies
 Strengths/weaknesses of
observation and self-reports as
ways to gather data
 Strengths/weaknesses of
qualitative & quantitative data
 Strengths/weaknesses of sample
 Reliability
 Validity and ecological validity
 Ethics
Exam Tips for study
 Know the research method, the
sample and how it was gathered
 Know the procedures and how
both guards and prisoners were
introduced to the study
 Know the key findings
 Be able to draw conclusions from
the findings.
 Be able to suggest at least one
way in which the study could be
improved, possible implications
or the suggestion(s) e.g
methodology, ethics, reliability,
validity, usefulness, practicality
etc.