Zimbados Prison Experiment A01 Flashcards
1
Q
AIM/ao1
A
-Aim to understand brutal behaviour found in prisons
-One theory (dispositional hypothesis) there was violence due to nature of people found in prisons- both roles were bad seeds
-or (situational hypothesis) where behaviour was due to environment situation and brutal dehumanising situations found in prisons
2
Q
Method
A
- 10 guards, 11 prisoners selected at random from students who responded to newspaper advert and offered money, checked to make sure there was no violent backgrounds
- Mock prison made in uni, prisoners removed of identity, guards had sunglasses, violence not permitted
- prisoners placed in cell, had regular routine of meals and shifts
3
Q
Findings
A
- guards became sadistic and taunting, increased dehumanisation- de individualisation noticeable
- 1 prisoner released after first day because of crying fit, another because of a rash due to situation
- scheduled for 2 weeks but stopped after 6 days, guards were upset
- guards and prisoners surprised at uncharacteristic behaviour
4
Q
Conclusions
A
- Situational hypothesis favoured as none of the participants shows this behaviour before
- Individuals conform to social roles even when roles override individuals beliefs
- guards and prisoners showed social roles gained from media
- however may be dispositional as only 3 guards conformed into social role
