Zimbardo's A01

Cards (17)

  • Mock prison
    Prison set up in the basement of the psychology department at Stanford University
  • Emotionally stable students
    Students who volunteered were emotionally stable
  • Psychological testing

    Various tests and assessments conducted on the students
  • Random assignment
    Students randomly assigned roles of prisoners (Ps) and guards (Gs)
  • Arrested
    Prisoners (Ps) were arrested in their homes by local police, blindfolded,strip-searched,deloused and given uniforms and numbers
  • Rules for prisoners
    Prisoners (Ps) had 16 rules to follow
  • Shifts for guards
    Guards (Gs) worked in shifts of 3 at a time
  • Handcuffs and club
    Guards (Gs) were equipped with handcuffs and a wooden club
  • Enthusiastic guards
    Guards (Gs) were very enthusiastic about their roles
  • Experiment duration
    The experiment was planned for 14 days but was stopped after 6 days
  • Prisoner rebellion
    Prisoners (Ps) rebelled on the 2nd day by ripping their uniforms and shouting
  • Guard retaliation
    Guards (Gs) retaliated to the rebellion using fire extinguishers and 'divide and rule' tactics
  • Constant harassment
    Guards (Gs) constantly harassed prisoners (Ps) with headcounts and monitoring
  • Psychological damage

    Some prisoners (Ps) showed signs of psychological damage and were released. E.g: first day
  • Hunger strike

    One prisoner (P) went on a hunger strike where they were put in 'the hole' as punishment
  • Brutal and aggressive guards
    Some guards (Gs) exhibited brutal and aggressive behavior
  • Conformity to roles
    Both guards (Gs) and prisoners (Ps) conformed to their assigned roles