Zimbardo Stanford Prison Experiment (1971) Flashcards
Who conducted the Stanford prison experiment?
Philip Zimbardo
What was the purpose of the Stanford prison experiment?
To investigate how situational forces can influence individual behavior
True or False: The Stanford prison experiment was conducted in a real prison.
False
What roles were assigned to the participants in the Stanford prison experiment?
Guards and prisoners
What was the duration of the Stanford prison experiment?
Originally planned for two weeks but terminated after 6 days
What ethical issues were raised by the Stanford prison experiment?
Ethical concerns about the treatment of participants, lack of fully informed consent, and potential harm
What term describes the phenomenon where people conform to social roles they are expected to play?
Role-playing
What did the Stanford prison experiment demonstrate about the power of authority figures?
That authority figures can influence individuals to engage in harmful behaviors
What psychological concepts were highlighted by the Stanford prison experiment?
Deindividuation, obedience to authority, and the impact of social roles
Who was responsible for stopping the Stanford prison experiment?
Christina Maslach
What were some of the negative outcomes experienced by participants in the Stanford prison experiment?
Psychological distress, emotional trauma, and feelings of powerlessness
What did the Stanford prison experiment reveal about the potential for abuse of power in institutional settings?
That individuals in positions of power can abuse their authority and mistreat others
What was the main takeaway from the Stanford prison experiment regarding the influence of social situations on behavior?
That environmental factors play a significant role in shaping individual behavior
How did the Stanford prison experiment influence ethical guidelines for psychological research?
It led to the establishment of stricter ethical standards and regulations to protect participants
What methodological criticisms were raised about the Stanford prison experiment?
Concerns about the lack of control over variables, potential demand characteristics, and generalizability
What did the Stanford prison experiment suggest about the potential for abuse in prison systems?
That systemic issues and power dynamics can contribute to abusive behavior within prisons
What impact did the Stanford prison experiment have on the field of psychology?
It sparked discussions about ethics, social influence, and the importance of considering context in research
What was the conclusion drawn from the Stanford prison experiment regarding the malleability of human behavior?
That human behavior is highly influenced by situational factors and social context
What are some criticisms of the Stanford prison experiment in terms of its generalizability to real-world situations?
That the artificial nature of the experiment may limit its applicability to real-life scenarios
What were some of the long-term effects experienced by participants in the Stanford prison experiment?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and ongoing psychological issues
What did the Stanford prison experiment highlight about the potential for dehumanization in social contexts?
That dehumanization can occur when individuals are placed in roles that strip away their individuality
How did the Stanford prison experiment contribute to our understanding of the power of social situations in shaping behavior?
It underscored the importance of environmental factors in influencing individual actions and attitudes
What were some of the key criticisms of the methodology used in the Stanford prison experiment?
Critiques included issues of ethics, lack of control over variables, and potential harm to participants
What implications did the Stanford prison experiment have for the field of psychology in terms of research ethics?
It prompted a reevaluation of ethical guidelines and a focus on protecting the well-being of research participants
What did the Stanford prison experiment reveal about the potential for abuse of power in social systems?
It demonstrated how power dynamics and situational factors can lead to abuses of authority and mistreatment of others
