Final answer:
The assertion that the Stanford prison experiment showcased the extent of role conformity is true. Experiments can indeed be done on humans, provided they adhere to ethical guidelines. Larger sample sizes are preferred in scientific experiments to increase the reliability and validity of the results.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'The standard university prison experiment showed that people will conform to an assigned role' is true. The Stanford prison experiment conducted by Philip Zimbardo is a renowned psychological study that highlighted the extent to which people can conform to the roles they are given, especially within a strongly defined social structure. In the experiment, student volunteers were randomly assigned to the roles of either prisoners or guards in a mock prison. The students quickly began to conform to their roles, with guards exhibiting abusive behaviors and prisoners showing signs of extreme stress and submission. This experiment was meant to last two weeks but was terminated after just six days due to the concerning level of emotional distress being expressed by the participants.