Key Research: Zimbardo Flashcards
What was the aim of this research?
to investigate the extent to which people would conform to the roles of guards and prisoners in a role-playing simulation of a prison experiment
What was the sample of the research?
-21 male university students were picked and were separated into 10 guards and 11 prisoners. Zimbardo was warden
What was the role of the prisoners like?
they were dehumanized, deloused, fingerprinted and stripped. They were unexpectedly arrested at their homes and they were forced to wear bleak uniforms and were referred to by the number sewn on them
What was the role of the guards like?
they wore superior uniforms, including sunglasses. They were instructed not to physically harm the prisoners, but that was all they were instructed on. They were allowed to leave the building after their shift and go home.
How were the prisoners placed in the prison?
they were placed 3 to a cell
How long was the research planned to take place?
planned to be 2 weeks, but was cut short
What were the findings of the research?
- both roles settled quickly, a prisoner revolution took place on the second day but was crushed by the guards, prisoners were punished
- prisoners conformed to their roles and didn’t question guard motives
- one prisoner was withdrawn after 36 hours due to a fit of raged
- was stopped after 6 days, both roles were surprised on their behavior
What was the conclusion of the research?
the situation explanation was supported as the group were considered mentally stable before hand, suggesting it had been the driver of their behavior
What is the application evaluation point?
- lack of ethics, protection of harm, withdrawal, informed consent
- useful because it can be used as a real life application in treatment in prisons
What is the methodology evaluation point?
individual differences occur, not all guards behaved brutally, if it was solely the situation shouldn’t they have behaved the same?
