Zimbardos Experiment Flashcards
What did Zimbardos stanford prison experiment (SPE) set out to test?
If the high level of aggression in American prisons is due to conformity in social roles
Describe what happened in Zimbardos SPE
Volunteers were assessed as mentally stable were randomly assigned as prisoners or guards
Prisoners were given realistic arrest at home and fingerprinted, stripped, deloused and given uniform with a number
Guards were given complete control along with uniforms, mirrored shades, clubs and handcuffs
Describe the findings of Zimbardos SPE (1971)
Prisoners and guards quickly lost their personal identities and conformed to social roles
Prisoners showed signs of stress anxiety and helplessness
Guards displayed sadistic aggression and domineering behavior
Describe what Zimbardos research suggests
Situational factors rather than individual personality traits can alter behavior of previously stable individuals. This is due to individuals conforming to socially defined roles
What were the strengths of Zimbardos SPE
It was well controlled - He made sure participants were healthy and stable. The roles were also randomly allocated. This control argues that the behaviours came from the social roles and the environment
His insights can help explain incidents of cruelty and abuse in institutional settings. This has led to increased training and oversight in military and law enforcement settings to prevent abuse
Outline Reicher and Haslams 2011 SPE replication
Replicated for TV findings did not match with Zimbardos study. Prisoners were very disobedient and guards resisted showing authority
Suggesting social roles have a limited influence
How did Zimbardo playing as dual role have an effect on the experiment?
The involvement may have led to experimenter bias his presence influencing the participants behavior to fit the expected outcomes of the study. Demand characteristics are likely to have occurred as a result of this.
