Zimbardo's research

• Procedure:

  • 21 male student volunteers after psychological evaluation
  • Randomly assigned guard or prisoner
  • Prisoners were arrested in their homes
  • Prisoners wore loose rags to wear
  • Guards wore own uniform including shades and handcuffs
  • Only lasted 6 days instead of the intended 14
• Strengths of Zimbardo's research

  High internal validity
• Limitation of Zimbardo's research

  Lack of realism

  -Counterpoint - 90% of prisoners conversations were about prison life

  Exaggerates power roles to influence behaviour