Zimbardo's Prison Experiment Flashcards
Why did Zimbardo conduct his experiment?
He wanted to know why prison guards behaved so brutally- was it because they have sadistic personalities or was it their social role that created such behaviour?
What was the procedure of Zimbardos study?
A mock prison was set up in the basement of the psychology department at Stanford University. 21 male student volunteers were selected following a test to see if they were emotionally stable. The students were randomly assigned to play the role of prison guard or prisoner. They were actively encouraged to conform to their roles. Prisoners who disobeyed were placed in “the hole” - a tiny dark closet
How was uniform used in Zimbardos prison experiment?
The prisoners were given a loose smock to wear and a cap to cover their hair. They were identified by number, not name. The guards had handcuffs, a wooden club and mirror shades. Their uniforms reflected their status. The uniforms created a loss of personality called de-individualisation as the prisoners couldn’t see the guards eyes, had no name etc and meant ppts would be more likely to conform to their roles.
What were the findings of Zimbardos study?
The guards were enthusiastic and treated prisoners harshly. Within two days, the prisoners had rebelled. The guards used “divide and rule” tactics by playing the prisoners off against each other. They constantly harassed prisoners. The guards highlighted the differences in social roles by creating opportunities to enforce rules and give punishments. Following the rebellion, prisoners became subdued and anxious. One was released as he was showing symptoms of psychological disturbance, then two more left. One went on hunger strike. The study ended after six days, not the intended 14
What were the conclusions of Zimbardos study?
The guards identified more and more closely with their role. Their behaviour became increasingly violent and they began to enjoy their power. Zimbardo concluded that social roles appeared to have a strong influence on behaviour. This is because the prisoners became more submissive and the guards became aggressive. Pps easily took on their roles. They found themselves behaving as though they were in a prison not a psychological study
What is a strength of Zimbardos prison experiment? (Control)
Zimbardo and his colleagues had control over key variables. They controlled the selection of pps as they only chose those who tested as emotionally stable. This was so the researchers could rule out individual personality differences as an explanation for the findings. This is a strength because it increases the internal validity of the study so researchers can be more confident when drawing conclusions about the influence of social roles on behaviour
What is a limitation of SPE? (Realism)
The study didn’t have the realism of a true prison. Some psychologists argue that pps were merely play acting rather than genuinely conforming to their role. Pps performances were based on their stereotypes of how prisoners and guards are supposed to behave. This would explain why the prisoners rioted, they believed that’s what real prisoners did. This is a limitation because it suggests that the findings of the SPE tell us little about conformity to social roles in actual prisons
What is a limitation of the SPE? (Exaggeration)
Zimbardo may have exaggerated the power and influence of social roles on behaviour. For example, only 1/3 of guards actually behaved in a brutal manner, another 1/3 tried to apply the rules fairly and the rest tried to help the prisoners. They sympathised, offered cigarettes and reinstated privileges. Most guards were able to resist situational pressures to conform to a violent role. This is a limitation as it suggests that Zimbardo overstated his view that SPE pps were conforming to social roles and minimised the influence of dispositional factors such as personality
