Zimbardo SPE

Question 1

Aim?

Answer 1

to what extent a situation can effect someones behavior towards another person

Question 2

Procedure?

Answer 2

> took place in a mock prison
24 males chosen 12 guards/12 prisoners
prisoners arrested, stripped and given numbers
guards have a plain uniform and sunglasses
16 rules they had to enforce
given complete control over prisoners

Question 3

Findings?

Answer 3

> experiment started slowly but prisoners began to rebel
guards broke up the protest by using force
guards began to harass
caused mental breakdowns between prisoners
behaviour became more aggressive and humiliating

Question 4

Conclusion?

Answer 4

the situation has power over ordinary people as participants all conformed to their social roles in the form of identification

Question 5

Evaluation

Answer 5

> unethical- caused psychological harm
volunteers- may behave different
inaccurate results- only a third of guards conformed
control- had full control of variables, increases internal validity