examine whether people would conform to the social roles of a prison guard or prisoner, when placed in the environment
What was the sample?How were they acquired?
21 mentally stable male university students via self selection from a newspaper
What was the procedure?
set up a mock prison in the basement of the psychology department of Stanford University
students randomly assigned to the role of a guard or prisoner
prisoners arrested in their homes, blindfolded, stripped, and given a number rather than a name
social roles of prisoners and guards were strictly divided
guards had their own uniform, wooden clubs and mirror shades
What were the findings?
prisoners and guards quickly identified with their social roles
concluded that people quickly conform to social roles even if it goes against their morals
also concluded that situational factors are largely responsible for behaviour
Evaluation?
unethical - prisoners were not protected from harm and were mentally traumatised by the situation that they had to leave, and the study ended after 6 day (guards also reported feelings of guilt)
doesn't acknowledge individual differences as some guards didn't conform and would help the prisoners
