The Stanford Prison Experiment: Insights and Critiques

What was the purpose of the Stanford Prison Experiment?

To study the psychological effects of prison life on individuals.

How were participants selected for the Stanford Prison Experiment?

More than 70 applicants were given diagnostic interviews and personality tests to eliminate those with psychological problems, medical disabilities, or a history of crime or drug abuse.

How many college students ultimately participated in the Stanford Prison Experiment?

24 college students from the U.S. and Canada.

What roles were assigned to the participants in the Stanford Prison Experiment?

Participants were arbitrarily divided into two groups: Guards and Prisoners.

Who was consulted to help construct the prison environment for the experiment?

A former prisoner who had served nearly seventeen years behind bars.

What was the physical setup of the simulated prison in the Stanford Prison Experiment?

A corridor in the basement of Stanford's Psychology Department was boarded up to simulate a prison environment.

What was 'The Yard' in the Stanford Prison Experiment?

The only outside place where prisoners were allowed to walk, eat, or exercise.

What was 'The Hole' in the Stanford Prison Experiment?

A small closet used for solitary confinement.

What was the purpose of the degradation procedure during the arrest of the prisoners?

To humiliate the prisoners and ensure they weren't bringing in germs.

What clothing was issued to the prisoners in the Stanford Prison Experiment?

A dress or smock with their prison ID number on the front and back.

What psychological state were the prisoners in during their initial processing?

A state of mild shock.

What did the police do when they arrested the suspects for the experiment?

They charged them with violations of Penal Codes 211 (Armed Robbery) and 459 (Burglary), warned them of their legal rights, searched them, and handcuffed them.

What happened to the prisoners after they were brought to the Stanford County Jail?

They were formally booked, fingerprinted, and taken to a holding cell.

What was the significance of the lack of windows or clocks in the prison setup?

It contributed to time-distorting experiences for the prisoners.

How did the experimenters monitor the prisoners' discussions?

An intercom system was used to secretly bug the cells.

What was the daily compensation for participants in the Stanford Prison Experiment?

$15 per day.

What was the initial reaction of the neighbors during the arrest of the participants?

They looked on with surprise and curiosity.

What was the main goal of the Stanford Prison Experiment?

To observe the effects of becoming a prisoner or prison guard.

What was the first step taken after the participants were arrested?

They were taken to the police station for processing.

What was the role of the warden in the Stanford Prison Experiment?

To convey the seriousness of the prisoners' offenses and their new status.

What did the prisoners wear during the experiment?

A uniform consisting of a smock with no underclothes.

What psychological effects were the researchers interested in observing?

The effects of the prison environment on behavior.

What was the outcome for the participants after being processed?

They were left blindfolded in a holding cell to ponder their fate.

What was the purpose of the prisoner's uniform in the simulation?

To create a functional simulation of a prison environment that induces feelings of humiliation and emasculation.

How did the prisoner's appearance change in the simulation?

Prisoners began to walk, sit, and hold themselves differently, more like women than men.

What was the significance of the heavy chain on the prisoners' ankles?

It served as a reminder of the oppressiveness of their environment.

How did the use of ID numbers affect the prisoners?

It made them feel anonymous and stripped them of their individuality.

What was the purpose of the stocking cap worn by prisoners?

It substituted for having their hair shaved off, minimizing individuality.

What was the role of the guards in the prison simulation?

Guards were free to create their own rules to maintain order and command respect.

Who supervised the guards during the simulation?

Warden David Jaffe.

What were the expectations of the prisoners regarding their treatment?

They expected harassment, violations of privacy, and a minimally adequate diet.

What uniform did the guards wear in the simulation?

Identical khaki uniforms, with a whistle and a billy club.

What was the purpose of the guards' sunglasses?

To prevent prisoners from seeing their eyes and reading their emotions, promoting anonymity.

How many guards and prisoners were involved in the simulation?

Nine guards and nine prisoners.

What was the arrangement of the prisoners in the cells?

Three prisoners occupied each of the three barren cells around the clock.

What form of punishment did the guards commonly impose?

Push-ups for infractions or displays of improper attitudes.

What was the initial perception of using push-ups as punishment?

It was thought to be inappropriate and juvenile for a prison setting.

What historical context was referenced regarding push-ups as punishment?

They were used in Nazi concentration camps.

What unexpected event occurred on the second day of the simulation?

A rebellion broke out among the prisoners.

What was the intended effect of the prison simulation on the participants?

To study the dynamics of power and control in a prison-like environment.

What was the informed consent agreement of the prisoners?

They agreed to the potential harassment and violations of civil rights.

How did the guards' behavior change during the simulation?

They found themselves in a new power-laden role, creating their own authority.

What was the physical environment like for the prisoners?

The cells were small, accommodating only three cots with little room for anything else.

What was the significance of the guards stepping on prisoners' backs during push-ups?

It demonstrated the exertion of power and humiliation over the prisoners.

What was the primary focus of the study conducted in the prison simulation?

To observe the behavior of both prisoners and guards in a controlled environment.

What was the reaction of the researchers to the rebellion on the second day?

They were surprised and unprepared for the outbreak.

What actions did the prisoners take during the rebellion?

They removed their stocking caps, ripped off their numbers, and barricaded themselves inside their cells with their beds.

How did the guards initially respond to the rebellion?

They called in reinforcements and decided to treat force with force using a fire extinguisher.

What was the purpose of the fire extinguisher used by the guards?

It was used to force the prisoners away from the doors with a stream of carbon dioxide.

What measures did the guards take after temporarily crushing the rebellion?

They stripped the prisoners naked, removed their beds, and placed ringleaders into solitary confinement.

What psychological tactic did the guards implement to manage the prisoners?

They established a privilege cell for the least involved prisoners, granting them special privileges.

What privileges were given to the prisoners in the privilege cell?

They received their uniforms and beds back, were allowed to wash and brush their teeth, and ate special food.

How did the guards further manipulate the prisoners after establishing the privilege cell?

They swapped prisoners between the privilege and regular cells, creating distrust among them.

What was the effect of the guards' psychological tactics on the prisoners?

It broke the solidarity among prisoners and fostered distrust, leading them to suspect each other of being informers.

What did ex-convict consultants say about the tactics used by the guards?

They noted that similar tactics are used in real prisons to break alliances among inmates.

What was the guards' perception of the prisoners after the rebellion?

They began to see the prisoners as troublemakers who posed a real threat to their safety.

How did the guards' control over the prisoners change after the rebellion?

Every aspect of the prisoners' behavior fell under the total and arbitrary control of the guards.

What became a privilege for the prisoners under the guards' control?

Going to the toilet became a privilege that could be granted or denied by the guards.

What degrading conditions did the prisoners face regarding sanitation?

Prisoners were sometimes forced to urinate or defecate in buckets left in their cells.

What was the treatment of Prisoner #5401, the ringleader of the rebellion?

He was subjected to harsh treatment, including control over his smoking opportunities.

What did the guards do to further degrade the prison environment?

They sometimes did not allow prisoners to empty their sanitation buckets, causing a foul smell.

How did the rebellion impact the guards' solidarity?

The rebellion increased solidarity among the guards as they united against a perceived threat.

What was the guards' strategy to deflect aggression from themselves?

By dividing and conquering the prisoners, they promoted aggression among inmates instead.

What did the guards do to ensure they had enough control over the prisoners?

They increased their control, surveillance, and aggression in response to the rebellion.

What was the initial reaction of the morning shift guards to the night shift guards?

They were upset and felt the night shift had been too lenient with the prisoners.

What was the significance of the privilege cell in the guards' strategy?

It was a tactic to manipulate prisoners and reduce their collective strength.

How did the guards' view of the prisoners change after the rebellion?

They began to see the prisoners as potential threats rather than just subjects of an experiment.

What did the guards learn about prisoner alliances from the rebellion?

They learned that breaking alliances among prisoners could help maintain control.

What was the role of the Stanford Human Subjects Research Panel in the experiment?

They required fire extinguishers to be present due to concerns about potential fire threats.

What was the initial motivation of the volunteer in the Stanford Prison Experiment?

He volunteered to expose the study, mistakenly believing it was a tool to control student radicals.

What role did the volunteer ultimately take on during the experiment?

He became proud to be elected leader of the Stanford County Jail Grievance Committee.

What emotional disturbances did Prisoner #8612 experience less than 36 hours into the experiment?

He suffered from acute emotional disturbance, disorganized thinking, uncontrollable crying, and rage.

How did the prison authorities initially perceive Prisoner #8612's emotional state?

They thought he was trying to 'con' them into releasing him.

What offer was made to Prisoner #8612 by the primary prison consultant?

He was offered the chance to become an informant in exchange for no further guard harassment.

What measures were taken to manipulate the visiting hour for parents and friends?

The environment was made to seem pleasant; prisoners were groomed, cells cleaned, and a big dinner was served.

What restrictions were placed on visitors during the visiting hour?

Visitors had to register, wait, were limited to two visitors per prisoner, had only ten minutes of visiting time, and were under guard surveillance.

How did parents react to their sons' conditions during the visiting hour?

Some parents became upset but chose to work within the system to appeal for better conditions.

What was the response of the experimenters to the mother who expressed concern over her son's condition?

The experimenter shifted the blame to the son, questioning his ability to handle the situation.

What rumor circulated among the prisoners regarding an escape?

There was a rumor that Prisoner #8612 would round up friends to break in and free the prisoners.

How did the experimenters react to the rumor of a mass escape?

Instead of observing the rumor transmission, they held a strategy session to plan how to foil the escape.

Who visited the experiment during the mass escape plot?

Gordon Bower, a colleague and former Yale graduate student roommate.

What question did Gordon Bower ask that provoked an angry response from the experimenter?

He asked, 'What's the independent variable in this study?'

What was the primary focus of the Stanford Prison Experiment?

To study the psychological effects of perceived power and authority in a simulated prison environment.

How did the experimenters ensure compliance from the parents during the visiting hour?

They imposed arbitrary rules that parents complied with despite complaints.

What did the experimenters do to create a positive atmosphere for the visitors?

They washed and groomed the prisoners, cleaned the cells, and played music.

What was the role of the Warden during the visiting hour?

Parents had to discuss their son's case with the Warden before entering the visiting area.

What was the significance of the letter from Prisoner #8612 to his girlfriend?

It revealed his pride in being elected leader of the Grievance Committee despite his emotional distress.

What was the outcome of the emotional disturbances experienced by Prisoner #8612?

His condition highlighted the psychological impact of the experiment on participants.

How did the experimenters view the behavior of the parents during the visit?

They saw the parents as compliant middle-class adults participating in the prison drama.

What was the primary ethical concern raised by the Stanford Prison Experiment?

The psychological harm inflicted on participants due to the extreme conditions of the simulation.

What did the experiment reveal about the influence of situational factors on behavior?

It demonstrated how individuals can conform to roles and expectations in a controlled environment.

What was the overall duration of the Stanford Prison Experiment before it was terminated?

The experiment was intended to last two weeks but was terminated after only six days due to ethical concerns.

What question did Gordon ask that triggered a strong reaction from the narrator?

He asked about the independent variable in the study.

How did the narrator initially perceive Gordon's question?

As a distraction from the serious situation of a potential prison break.

What was the outcome of the rumored prison break?

It turned out to be just a rumor and never materialized.

What was the reaction of the guards after the rumored prison break?

They escalated their level of harassment and increased the humiliation of the prisoners.

What types of tasks did the guards force the prisoners to do?

Menial, repetitive work such as cleaning toilets and physical exercises like push-ups and jumping jacks.

What were the three types of guards identified in the study?

1. Tough but fair guards who followed rules. 2. 'Good guys' who did favors for prisoners. 3. Hostile guards who enjoyed humiliating prisoners.

What personality trait was linked to prisoners enduring the authoritarian environment longer?

A high degree of authoritarianism.

What was the role of the Catholic priest in the study?

He evaluated the realism of the prison situation and offered legal aid to prisoners.