Zimbardo Flashcards
Aim
To understand the development of norms and the effects of roles, labels, and social expectations in a simulated prison environment
Procedure
- Zimbardo set up a mock prison in the basement of the psych department in Standford.
- 21 men were randomly selected and tested to be emotionally stable.
- Ppts were randomly assigned guard or prisoner (10 prisoners, 11 guards).
- They were encouraged to conform
Instructions given
Guards: encouraged to play role by being reminded that they had complete control
Prisoners: encouraged to identify with their role by several procedures e.g. ‘apply for parole’ rather than leave the experiment
What did they wear
Guards: uniforms reflecting status, wooden clubs, handcuffs and mirrored shades
Prisoners: lose smock and cap to cover hair- identified by a number, shackles around ankles
- created de-identification and increased conformity
Behaviors exhibited
Guards: took clothes, put prisoners in solitary confinement, shouting, enforce power and status e.g. making them clean toilets and exercise
Prisoners: protest, hunger strike, cursing, submission to instructions from guards, chant, breakdown from stress
Findings
- The guards identified more and more closely with their role and treated prisoners harshly within 2 days
- Within 2 days the prisoners rebelled- ripped uniforms and shouted and guards retaliated with fire extinguishers
- Guards used ‘divide and rule’ tactics by playing the prisoners against each other
- Guards hilighted social divide in roles by abusing power e.g. conducting headcounts at night
- After the rebellion was put down, the prisoners became subdued, depressed and anxious
- One showed symptoms of psychological disturbance, 2 released on 4th day
Why end early?
Ended on day 6/ 14 due to emotional breakdowns and excessive aggression of guards
Conclusions
- Social roles have a strong influence on individual’s behavior
- Guards became brutal and prisoners submissive
- Roles were easl=ily taken on by all ppts
