Stanford Prison Experiment

psy 104s exam 2

Purpose

Examined how social roles influence people's behavior.

Basic Paradigm

24 healthy college students were randomly assigned as guards or prisoners in a realistic prison environment.

What Happened

Guards used punishment and humiliation; prisoners rioted, and the study ended after 5 days due to psychological distress.

Classic Interpretation (Social Roles)

People change their behavior to match the expectations of their assigned roles, potentially losing their personal identities.

Contemporary Interpretation (Identity Leadership)

Behavior is shaped by leaders who influence how people understand and carry out their roles. Zimbardo and researchers influenced the guards' behavior.

2018 Recordings

Revealed that guards received more direction from researchers than originally reported.

BBC Prison Experiment (Replication)

Guards did not automatically become abusive, and prisoners eventually organized a revolt. People do not automatically behave according to assigned social roles; leadership and group dynamics also influence behavior.