This chapter opens with a discussion of a study conducted by Philip Zimbardo. This study, known as the Stanford prison experiment, provides a revealing glimpse into social interaction and social structure. The Stanford prison experiment website (http://www.prisonexp.org/) presents a slide show and discussions of the experiment. Explore the site and view the slides; then answer the following questions:

1. How was reality defined and reconstructed in this experiment?
2. How did this experiment affect the achieved statuses of the students involved?
3. Can you apply the concept of master status to anyone involved in the experiment? Explain.
4. Discuss the social roles of the participants from both a functionalist and a conflict perspective.
5. Your text discusses how Philip Zimbardo experienced role strain during the experiment. Do you think any of the students experienced role strain? Explain.
6. The term role exit is used to describe the process of disengagement from a role that is central to one's self identity and reestablishment of an identity in a new role. Do you think it was difficult for both the guards and the prisoners to exit their roles and reestablish their identities as students? Explain.

Our lives are both enriched and complicated by the vast array of social roles that we play. The text reveals how the variety of roles makes us susceptible to role conflict and role strain. See how the terms can be applied to the social life of a former president of the United States by logging onto The White House (http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/). There you will find biographies and links on presidents from Washington through Bush. Choose a president and explore the material provided to answer the following questions:

1. What political, family, educational, and social roles has the president played in his life? What statuses has he held? Which of these are ascribed and which are achieved?
2. Has this mix of roles ever led to role conflict or role strain? How so?
3. Before becoming the leader of the United States, did the person you selected have a master status? Why would the role of "president" be considered a master status?
4. Imagine you are a two-term president leaving office. How could you apply Helen Rose Fuchs Ebaugh's role exit model to the process?
5. If you were president, what impact would this position have on the other social roles that you currently have? How would family life, friendships, hobbies, and other daily activities be affected?