Thanks for writing this, a very clear summay and I like your point about the Haslam study simply adding texture to Zimbardo’s findings. With so many of these highly polarised debates, nature vs. nurture etc. it seems the most you can say at the end of the day is that both or neither are important. Ask the right questions.
I do think these contrived situations, whether scientific experiment or reality show, are probably biased towards bringing the worst out in people. Because it’s not real, there’s no potential long term benefit to altruistic behaviour, no outcome to ‘have a dream’ about, Martin Luther King style. But I suppose something like that factor operates in real life as well when people believe that no better society is truly possible.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2005-11-05 04:17 pm (UTC)I do think these contrived situations, whether scientific experiment or reality show, are probably biased towards bringing the worst out in people. Because it’s not real, there’s no potential long term benefit to altruistic behaviour, no outcome to ‘have a dream’ about, Martin Luther King style. But I suppose something like that factor operates in real life as well when people believe that no better society is truly possible.