Describe the procedure of Zimbardo’s research into social roles.
observational study in basement at Stanford university
24 US male student volunteers
psychological assessment: participants chosen psychologically stable and healthy
agreed to participate in a 7 to 14-day study
randomly assigned role of prisoner or guard
prisoners unexpectedly arrested at home
deloused, given prison uniform and ID number
small mock prison cells housed 3 prisoners each
given some rights, eg 3 meals, 3 supervised toilet trips a day and 2 visits per week guards were given uniforms, clubs, whistles and wore reflective sunglasses
guards were told to run the prison but not harm the prisoners
guards worked in teams of 3 for 8-hour shifts and allowed off site after shift
Zimbardo took role of prison superintendent
planned duration was 2 weeks but stopped after 6 days.
