This study has long been a staple in textbooks, articles, psychology classes, and even movies.
Purpose of the Stanford Prison Experiment
Zimbardo was a former classmate of the psychologistStanley Milgram.
Milgram is best known for his famousobedience experiment, and Zimbardo was interested in expanding upon Milgram’s research.
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He wanted to further investigate the impact of situational variables on human behavior.
Specifically, the researchers wanted to know how participants would react when placed in a simulated prison environment.
They then selected 24 undergraduate students to play the roles of both prisoners and guards.
Setting and Procedures
The simulated prison included three six-by-nine-foot prison cells.
Each cell held three prisoners and included three cots.
Other rooms across from the cells were utilized for the jail guards and warden.
The 24 volunteers were randomly assigned to either the prisoner or guard group.
Prisoners were to remain in the mock prison 24 hours a day during the study.
Guards were assigned to work in three-man teams for eight-hour shifts.
After each shift, they were allowed to return to their homes until their next shift.
Researchers were able to observe the behavior of the prisoners and guards using hidden cameras and microphones.
Results of the Stanford Prison Experiment
So what happened in the Zimbardo experiment?
It was noted that:
Even the researchers themselves began to lose sight of the reality of the situation.
The prisoners, placed in a situation where theyhad no real control, became submissive and depressed.
Why was Zimbardo’s experiment unethical?
Together, these call the study’s validity, value, and even authenticity into question.
Among the issues described:
In 2019, the journalAmerican Psychologistpublished an article debunking the famed experiment.
Takeaway
The Stanford Prison Experiment is well known both inside and outside thefield of psychology.
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