conformity to social roles: zimbardo's research

Question 1

zimbardo’s procedure

Answer 1

• mock prison at Stanford university
• 24 emotionally stable students, randomly assigned a role of guard or prisoner
• however asked participants before experiment if they wanted to be prisoner or guard
• prisoners were arrested in their own homes and delivered to prison.
• prisoners names weren’t used, only numbers
• guards had their own uniform etc…
• 16 rules to follow

Question 2

zimbardo’s findings

Answer 2

• within two days prisoners rebelled against their treatment.
• after rebellion, prisoners became anxious and depressed
• three prisoners were released early because they showed psychological disturbance
• one prisoner refused to eat, guard tried to force feed him then put him in the hole (a dark black cupboard)

Question 3

whats the significant thing about the duration of the experiment

Answer 3

was stopped after 6 days instead of the planned 8 days

Question 4

strengths of the Stanford prison experiment

Answer 4

control over variables, emotionally stable participants randomly allocated, only by chance.

Question 5

limitations of the Stanford prison experiment

Answer 5

lack of realism, play acting for the experiment
major ethical issues
lacks research support

Question 6

ethical issues related to the Stanford prison experiment

Answer 6

they were harmed
refused the ability to leave when wanted
psychologically harmed