Zimbardo

• Who conducted the Stanford prison experiment (SPE)?

  Zimbardo et al
• Where was the mock prison set up for the Stanford prison experiment?

  In the basement of the psychology department at Stanford University
• How many men participated in the Stanford prison experiment?

  21 men
• What criteria were used to select participants for the SPE?

  Participants were selected based on emotional stability
• How were the roles of prison guard and prisoner assigned in the SPE?

  Roles were assigned randomly
• What were the uniforms worn by prisoners and guards in the SPE?

  • Prisoners: Loose smock, cap, identified by number
  • Guards: Uniform with wooden club, handcuffs, mirror shades
• What psychological effect did the uniforms have on the participants?

  They created a loss of personal identity, known as de-individuation
• How did the prisoners identify with their roles in the SPE?

  They could apply for parole instead of leaving the study early
• What power did the guards have over the prisoners in the SPE?

  They had complete power over the prisoners
• How did the guards treat the prisoners during the SPE?

  They treated them harshly and with enthusiasm
• What was the prisoners' reaction after two days in the SPE?

  They rebelled by ripping their uniforms and shouting at the guards
• What tactics did the guards use to maintain control over the prisoners?

  They used 'divide-and-rule' tactics and harassed the prisoners
• What happened to the prisoners after the rebellion was suppressed?

  They became subdued, depressed, and anxious
• What was the fate of one prisoner who showed psychological disturbance?

  He was released from the study
• How did the guards' behavior change over the course of the SPE?

  Their behavior became increasingly brutal and aggressive
• How long did the Stanford prison experiment last?

  Six days
• What conclusions can be drawn about social roles from the SPE?

  • Social roles strongly influence behavior
  • Participants easily took on their assigned roles
• What was a strength of the SPE regarding participant selection?

  Only emotionally stable participants were selected
• How did random assignment of roles contribute to the SPE's validity?

  It ruled out individual personality differences as an explanation for behavior
• What limitation is associated with the realism of the SPE?

  Some argue participants were play-acting rather than conforming
• What evidence suggests that the SPE replicated social roles of prisoners and guards?

  90% of prisoners' conversations were about prison life
• What criticism did Zimbardo face regarding the power of social roles?

  He may have exaggerated the power of social roles to influence behavior
• What alternative explanation was proposed for the guards' behavior?

  Guards had to actively identify with their social roles to act brutally
• How does Social Identity Theory (SIT) differ from Zimbardo's explanation of behavior in the SPE?

  SIT argues that identification with social roles is necessary for behavior