Zimbardo Findings

• After a slow start to the simulation, the guards took up their roles with enthusiasm
• The behaviour became a threat to the prisoners' psychological and physical health, and the study was stopped after 6 days instead of the intended 14
• Within two days, the prisoners rebelled against their harsh treatment by the guards
• They ripped their uniforms and shouted and swore at the guards, who retaliated with fire extinguishers
• The guards employed 'divide-and-rule' tactics by playing the prisoners off against each other
• They harassed the prisoners constantly, to remind them they were being monitored all the time
• For example, they conducted frequent headcounts, sometimes in the middle of the night, when the prisoners would stand in line and call out their numbers