A01

• aim

  • test whether guards would behave brutally due to social role pressures or personality
• method

  • Zimbardo gathered 24 emotionally stable (through testing) American men, all of which were student volunteers. 
  • These men were then randomly allocated the role of inmate or guard via a coin flip
  • The guards were given mirrored shades, a wooden club, and handcuffs. Inmates were given a cap, loose smocks, and a number.
  • Both inmate and guard were fully encouraged to conform to their roles assigned.
• findings

  • Findings showed identification occurred quickly and both inmates and guards conformed to their social roles, for example on day 2 inmates staged a rebellion by barricading themselves to the cell to which guards sprayed them with fire extinguishers in retaliation.
  • Guards took full advantage of their power and made sure inmates were aware of this e.g., performing headcounts late at night.
  • On day 4 an inmate had to leave due to psychological disturbances
  • by day 6 the experiment had to be stopped, instead of on day 14.