ZIMBARDO [evaluation] Flashcards
How did Zimbardo himself undermine the ethics of the experiment?
He became too involved, blurring the ethics as they lacked objectivity and began to play the punishing role of guard, despite knowing of the prisoners innocence
What is a strength of the experiment? z
The simulation was constructed to be believable therefore it accurately recreated the effect of a prison environment (however this meant it had to be stopped)
How did the start of the experiment raise several ethical issues? z
Participants weren’t aware they would be publicly arrested, which is lack of informed consent, breach of confidentiality and deception
How did the experiment become psychologically harmful for participants? z
Guards were hostile & dehumanising, prisoners were stripped & deloused, they were made to stand on parade at night and be verbally humiliated - 5 had to be released due to severe stress reactions
What’s the problem with the sample? z
All middle class, educated American males = lack of generalisation to other genders and cultures
How did Zimbardo’s lack of objectivity affect the ethics?
The study wasn’t ended until a student questioned the morality - participants had inadequate protection from harm
Why might the study have low ecological validity? z
Some of the guards claimed they were acting the entire time, based on films they had seen, therefore their behaviour may not have been influenced by the same factors that influence real life guards
What is the evidence that the simulation was realistic for participants? z
90% of monitored conversations were about the prison - only 10% were about outside life. Guards were always on time and even worked overtime without pay
How did this study help change the prison system? z
Juveniles are no longer housed with adults before trial to stop violence against them
How did this study improve ethics? z
It led to the formal recognition of ethical guidelines, where studies now have to undergo evaluation before they can be carried out
What happened to participants after the experiment? z
They all had extensive debriefing and were given questionnaires at monthly then yearly intervals - there were no negative lasting effects
