Stanford prison experiment

Question 1

Purpose of the experiment

Answer 1

Mostly interested in weather people would adapt and conform to the role of the guard an prisoner

Question 2

What did they investigate

Answer 2

Development of roles, labels, social expectations in a stimulated prison

Question 3

What did Zimbard investigating about the roles

Answer 3

If high brutality rate was due to
Personalities- dispositional
or
Prison environment- situational

Question 4

The prisoners

Answer 4

arrested without warning 
taken to police station
finger print, pic, booked
blindfolded and driven to mock prison
stripped of identity
only allowed to speak to people by ID number

Question 5

The guards

Answer 5

Khaki uniforms, whistle, baton
Mirrored sunglasses
- make eye contact with prisoners impossible
Instructed
- DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN LAW/ COMMAND PRISONERS RESPECT
no physical violence

Question 6

Zimbardo

Answer 6

rearcher- observer

prison warden- active role

Question 7

Time line

Answer 7

Day 1

• settle into roles
• Gaurds QUICKLY START HARRASING PRISONERS

Day 2

• prisoners rebel/ guards retaliate
• call back up, increased harassment, privilege cell

Day 3
- prisoner #8612 complete MENTAL BREAKDOWN
wanted to leave but told no

Day4-5
- visiting hours, parole board, catholic priest
was so many guards and prisoners had to CLEAN UP before anyone came in

Day 6
- STUDY ENDS
all went to far
guards lost control and prisoners were undermined

Question 8

Types of guards

Answer 8

Tough but fair- followed rules
Good guys- did favours never punished
Hostile- enjoyed power (John Wayne)

Question 9

Types of prisoners

Answer 9

some rebelled/fought with guards
4 broke down
1 had Psychosomatic rash when refused parole
Good prisoners, obey guards orders

Question 10

What was the aftermath like

Answer 10

most felt INVLOVED/ COMMITTED
some guards wanted to push it as far as possible
others found it difficult to believe their behaviour
prisoners couldn’t believe they become submissive
ALL appear to have conformed to preconceived expectations
- strive to fit there roles

Question 11

Conclusion

Answer 11

People will readily conform to expected social roles
- especially if strongly stereotyped
Prisons environment was important factor in guards brutal behaviour

Supports situational behaviour

Question 12

Z two processes

Answer 12

Demdividuation- guards

• Lost sense of indivality/personal responsibility
• sadistic behaviour- group norm

Learned helplessness- prisoners

• what ever they had little effect on what happended to them
• guards unpredictable decisions
• prisoners gave up

Question 13

Evaluation

Answer 13

Damand characeteristics
ecological validity
Generalise this to a real life prison setting
only 1/3 of guards were agressive

Question 14

ethical issues

Answer 14

lack of fully info consent by participants

didnt consent to be ‘arrested’