Session 4: zimbardo study on conformity

Question 1

What was Zimbardos study?

Answer 1

Stanford prison experiment

Question 2

What type of experiment was it?

Answer 2

Lab study

Question 3

What was the sample of the experiment like?

Answer 3

• 24 male sample randomly split into guards and prisoners
• uniform for guards ( guard uniform, sunglasses and baton)
• uniform for prisoners (smock,chained ankles, identification numbers, stockings over head)
• prisoners arrested at homes

Question 4

What were the studies ethical issues?

Answer 4

• deception: participants not fully aware of experiments nature. Extent of psychological and emotional discomfort was not disclosed
• informed consent: participants did not have complete understanding of potential psychological harm which may be experienced
• psychological harm: guards became abusive and authoritarian while prisoners were humiliated

Question 5

What are BPS Guidlines?

Answer 5

British psychological society’s guidelines which clarify what is ethically acceptable is research

Question 6

What are examples of the BPS guidelines?

Answer 6

• informed consent
• deception
• risk of harm
• confidentiality
• privacy
• briefing
• debriefing

Question 7

What was the BBC prison study ?

Answer 7

Zimbardos redo of the Stanford prison experiment only conducted more ethically

Question 8

How long did the Stanford prison experiment last?

Answer 8

• 6 days
• Originally supposed to last 2 weeks

Question 9

What was the set up of the study like?

Answer 9

• Mock prison constructed in Stanford uni basement
• Included cells, yard & warden room for guards
• Heavily regulated schedule with wake up times, meal & bathroom times