Zimbardo AO1

• What was the procedure for the Stanford prison experiment?

  A mock prison set up in the basement of Stanford university. Advertised for students willing to volunteer and selected those who were deemed ‘emotionally stable’ after extensive psychological testing.
• How were the roles of guards or prisoners assigned?

  Randomly
• How was realism heightened for the prisoners

  The ’prisoners’ were arrested in their homes by the local police and then delivered to the prison. They were strip-searched, blindfolded and issued a uniform and number
• What was the sample of Zimbardo’s study?

  24 American male undergraduates
• What was the aim of Zimbardo’s experiment?

  To investigate to the extent to which people would conform to social roles in a stimulated environment
• What were the guards given?

  Own uniform, wooden club, handcuffs, keys and mirror shades. They were told they had complete power over the prisoners, for instance deciding when they could go to the toilet.
• What were the findings of Zimbardo’s experiment?

  Identification occurred very fast, both the prisoners and guards adopted their new roles.
• Within 2 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.
• How did the guards respond to the prisoner’s rebellion?

  Tried to turn the prisoners against each other. Harassed the prisoners constantly to remind them they were being monitored at all times. 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. The guards highlighted the differences in social roles by creating plenty of opportunities to enforce the rules and punish even the smallest misdemeanour.
• What happened after the rebellion was put down?

  The prisoners became subdued, depressed and anxious. One prisoner was released on the first day because he showed symptoms of psychological disturbance. Two more were released on the fourth day. One prisoner went on a hunger strike. The guards attempted to force-feed him and then punished him by putting him in ‘the hole’, a tiny dark closet. Instead of being considered a hero, he was shunned by the other prisoners.
• The experiment only lasted 6 days instead of the intended 14