Zimbardo (1973) Imprisonment - prison roles

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To investigate the effects of being assigned to the role of prisoner or guard

Question 2

Iv and Dv

Answer 2

IV-Prisoner or guard DV- resulting behaviour

Question 3

Participants

Answer 3

24 normal male students, paid $15 a day

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

prison was built in basement of stanford uni with video cameras - 3 cells and solitary confinement

• randomly assigned to a role , guards told to “maintain order for effective prison functioning “ told no violence and given reflective sunglasses, batons and uniform.
• prisoners arrested at home, taken to station, stripped, sprayed and given uniform and ID number.

Question 5

results

Answer 5

• behaviour seemed to be effected by the extent to which the role was believed
• 5 prisoners were released early due to depression, crying, rage etc.
• both prisoners and guards overall outlook became negative
• individual differences also effected behaviour.

Question 6

conclusion

Answer 6

the reason for guards behaviour was POWER (no consequences) where as the reason for prisoners behaviour was pathological prisoner syndrome which was caused by: loss of personal identity, learned helplessness, dependancy and emasculation

demonstrates the powerful effect of roles on peoples behaviour.