Stanford prison experiment (1973) - Zimbardo

Question 1

Aim of experiment

Answer 1

To investiagte the extent to which people would CONFORM to the roles of GUARDS and PRISONERS in a ROLE PLAY SIMULATION of prison life

Question 2

Method of experiment

Answer 2

• Mock prison set in basement of psychology department at stanford uni.
• Male student volunteers were physically and psychologically screened and 21 most stable chosen.
• 21 randomly assigned role of guard. prisoner
• Prisoners were really arrested from their houses and taken to prison.
• Zimbardo took role of superintendent.

Question 3

Uniform

Answer 3

• Prisoners wore a loose smocks and cap to cover their hair and they were identified by a numbers.
• Guards wore uniforms and carried wooden club, handcuffs and mirror shades.
• uniforms DEINDIVISUALISED particpants and forced them to conform.

Question 4

Instructions about behaviour

Answer 4

• Prisoners were encourages to conform with their role like rather than leaving, apply for parole
• Guards reminded they had COMPLETE power over prsioners

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

• Guards grew increasingly ABUSIVE
• Guards enforced rules and administered punishment.
• Prisoners became subdued, anxious and depressed.
• One prisoner went on a hunger strike and guards put him in tiny dark closet
• Participants appeared to forget it was a study.
• Zimbardo ended experiment in 6 DAYS INSTEAD OF 14

Question 6

Conclusion

Answer 6

• Social roles appear to have a strong influence on indivisual people
• Roles were on easily by all the particpant.