zimbardo Flashcards
What was the aim of the study?
To investigate how readily people would conform to social roles in a simulated environment and to explore why ‘good people do bad things’.
How many participants were involved in the study?
24 American male undergraduate students
What environment was created for the study?
A simulated prison in the basement of the Stanford University psychology building.
What roles were participants randomly assigned to?
- Guard
- Prisoner
What uniforms were worn by the prisoners?
Prisoners were only referred to by their assigned number.
What props were given to the guards?
- Handcuffs
- Sunglasses
What was the purpose of the guards wearing sunglasses?
To make eye contact with prisoners impossible and to reinforce the boundaries between the two social roles.
What restrictions were placed on leaving the simulated prison?
No one was allowed to leave the simulated prison.
How long were the shifts for the guards?
Eight hour shifts
What areas were prisoners allowed access to?
The hallway (acting as their yard) and the toilet.
What was the ethical guideline regarding physical violence?
No physical violence was permitted.
What was observed about the behavior of participants?
The behavior of the participants was observed.
How quickly did identification with roles occur?
Identification occurred very fast.
What aggressive behaviors did guards exhibit towards prisoners?
Guards began to harass and torment prisoners in harsh and aggressive ways.
How did guards feel about their new-found power?
They reported to have enjoyed doing so and relished in their new-found power and control.
What behavior did prisoners adopt regarding prison issues?
Prisoners would only talk about prison issues and snitch on other prisoners to please the guards.
What does the prisoners’ behavior suggest about their perception of the prison?
It suggests that the prisoners believed the prison was real.
How did prisoners react when other prisoners broke the rules?
They would defend the guards.
What change occurred in the dynamic between guards and prisoners?
Guards became more demanding of obedience while prisoners became more submissive.
What does the internalization of social roles indicate?
It suggests that the respective social roles became increasingly internalised.
