Stanford Prison Experiment

Question 1

What was the aim of SPE

Answer 1

Following reports of brutality by guards in America- question was:
Do guards behave this was because of sadistic personality, or is it situation

Question 2

Procedure of SPI up until in prison

Answer 2

1) set up mock prison in basement
2) advertised for student volunteers
3) selected those deemed ‘emotionally stable’ after testing
4) randomly assigned roles
5) prisoners arrested in their homes by police
6) blindfolded, stripped then given uniform

Question 3

What did prisoners/guards have to do?

Answer 3

Prisoners daily routine heavily regulated
-
Enforced by guards who worked on shifts 3 at a time

Question 4

How long did the study go on for?

Answer 4

6 out of the 14 intended

Question 5

Why was the study stopped?

Answer 5

Guards behaviour became ‘threat to prisoners physical and psychological health’

Question 6

What did the SPE show?

Answer 6

Everyone involved conformed to their roles

Question 7

Why did the SPE have good internal validity

Answer 7

This meant behaviour was due to situation not individual differences

Question 8

Lack of realism

Answer 8

1. Confirmed to stereotypes of their roles
2. So not acc conforming to social role
3. However 90% conversation about prison life so was real to participants

Question 9

Situational influences exaggerated

Answer 9

1. Only 1/3 behaved in a brutal manner
2. The rest either were indifferent or tried to help
3. Guards behaviour more down to disposition than social context