ZIMBARDO [conformity to social roles] Flashcards
What was the aim of Zimbardo’s study?
To study the behavioural and psychological consequences of becoming a prisoner or prison guard
How did Zimbardo test his aim?
- Made a realistic prison simulation in basement of Stanford University
- Randomly split college students into prisoners or prison guards
- They were closely monitored to see their reactions
How were college students assigned to roles? ZIM
Random assignment
What was the sample used? ZIM
22 mentally stable, middle class, male college students
How long was the experiment meant to last? ZIM
2 weeks
How long did the experiment last? ZIM
6 days
Where did the experiment take place? ZIM
Basement of Stanford University
How did the experiment begin? ZIM
Prisoners were unexpectedly arrested at their homes
How was the sample selected? ZIM
Participants answered a newspaper ad asking for volunteers who would be paid $15 per day
They had to pass tests on their mental and physical health
What furniture was in each cell? Z
A cot with a mattress, sheet and pillow
What did the guards wear as uniform? Z
Khaki shirts and trousers
Whistle
Wooden baton
Reflective sunglasses
What was the effect of the experiment’s location? Z
Stanford University = legitimate authority
What did the prisoners wear? Z
Loose fitting muslin smock with identification no. No underclothes Light chain and lock around one ankle Rubber sandals Cap made from nylon stocking
What was the effect of the guards uniform? Z
Reflective glasses = superiority, anonymity
[role of buffers]
Khaki = military attitude
Baton = power and authority
What was the effect of the prisoners uniform? Z
Number = deindividuation
Smock = emasculation, humiliation
Cap = loss of identity
No underwear = modest, feminine posture
What happened to the prisoners as soon as they arrived at the prison? Z
They were stripped and humiliated
What role did Zimbardo play?
Prison warden
How did guards assert authority on prisoners? Z
- Woke them up in middle of the night to do counts
- Prisoners had to do push ups as a punishment
What happened in the rebellion of the second day? z
Prisoners removed their caps and numbers, and barricaded themselves into their cells using cots
How did the guards deal with the rebellion on the second day? z
Forced prisoners away from the door by spraying a fire extinguisher on them, broke into cells and took the beds out
How many prisoners had to be released due to a severe stress reaction? z
5
How did the experiment change towards the end? z
Guards become more aggressive, and prisoners were more submissive, believing that they were actually being held for their crimes with no escape
What did the priest tell them during interviews? z
They could only get out with help of a lawyer
What conclusion can be drawn from this experiment? z
Prison environment has a drastic psychological effect on both guards and prisoners - both are society’s prisoners as they fill in roles of violence or submission
