conformity to social roles(zimbardo)

Procedure

1973 set up a fake prison in the basement of Stanford uni
Adverts put in newspaper requesting volunteers
15$ a day (impact right to withdraw)
24 males were assigned to be a guard or prisoner (random allocation)
Prisoners were arrested in there homes, given uniforms, given rights such as 3 meals a day and visits a day
Guards wore uniform, had a wooden club, handcuffs, and mirrored sunglasses
Planned to last 2 weeks

Findings

Guards treated prisoners harshly
After 2 days prisoners started a riot
Guards became more violent
Prisoners became anxious
One prisoner was released as he was showing signs of psychological disturbance
2 on the 4th day
One went on hunger strike- were out in hole(closet)
Guards become even more brutal
Zimbardo ended the study after 6 days

AO3

CONTROL- control over the selection of p’s. Checked emotional stability before study

RELIABILITY- McDermott claims the p’s did behave as though the prison was real

LACK OF REALISM- wasn’t a real prison

EXAGGERATED ROLE- only 1/3 guards were brutal.