Zimbardo Flashcards
aim
Zimbardo investigated how people adapt to different social roles for different social situations.
procedure
Controlled observation.
Zimbardo converted a basement of the Stanford University psychology building into a mock prison.
The study was meant to last 14 days.
They advertised for student volunteers.
21 psychologically stable and healthy male students were chosen to participate and randomly assigned the role of prisoner or guard.
To heighten realism, prisoners were arrested in their homes by police and delivered to the prison.
They were blind folded, strip searched, deloused and issued a uniform and number. The prisoners were only referred to by their numbers.
Guards were issued identical uniforms - a khaki uniform, whistles, handcuffs and dark glasses to make eye contact impossible.
findings
The guards adapted to their role very quickly and started to harass the prisoners, for example they frequently did headcount, sometimes in the middle of the night.
The guards took every opportunity to enforce the rules and punish prisoners, even for small wrongdoings.
Guards identified more and more with their roles and their behaviour became more brutal and aggressive, with some of them enjoying the power they had.
After only 2 days, prisoners rebelled against their harsh treatment, for example they ripped their uniform and shouted and swore at guards.
After their rebellion, prisoners became depressed - 1 prisoner was released on the first day because he showed signs of psychological distress.
2 more were released on day 4 and one went on a hunger strike.
The study had to be terminated after 6 days.
evaluation - controlled observation
Realistic, controlled, participants were randomly allocated therefore there was no bias.
evaluation - ethical issues
Unethical because participants were not protected from harm.
Zimbardo was involved therefore biassed.
All male sample therefore results could not be generalised.
