At length, they were transported to the Stanford campus and escorted into the basement, where the guards were waiting for them. Prisoners were given ill-fitting smocks and told to wear large stocking caps. Each had a short length of chain looped around his ankle to drive home their status as prisoners.
What happened in the Stanford Prison Experiment?
Stanford Prison Experiment: A Rebellion Breaks Out The guards broke into each cell, stripped the prisoners naked, took the beds out, forced the ringleaders of the prisoner rebellion into solitary confinement, and generally began to harass and intimidate the prisoners.
How were the prisoners transported to Stanford University?
At length, they were transported to the Stanford campus and escorted into the basement, where the guards were waiting for them. Prisoners were given ill-fitting smocks and told to wear large stocking caps. Each had a short length of chain looped around his ankle to drive home their status as prisoners.
What did prisoners wear on the outside of their smocks?
On the smock, in front and in back, was his prison ID number. On each prisoner's right ankle was a heavy chain, bolted on and worn at all times. Rubber sandals were the footwear, and each prisoner covered his hair with a cap made from a nylon stocking.
What kind of shoes do they wear in prison?
Rubber sandals were the footwear, and each prisoner covered his hair with a cap made from a nylon stocking. It should be clear that we were trying to create a functional simulation of a prison – not a literal prison. Real prisoners don't wear smocks, but they do feel controlled and at times humiliated.
What did they wear in the Stanford Prison Experiment?
All guards were dressed in identical uniforms of khaki, and they carried a whistle around their neck and a billy club borrowed from the police. Guards also wore special sun-glasses, an idea I borrowed from the movie Cool Hand Luke.
What did the guards do to the prisoners in the Stanford Prison Experiment?
The guards broke into each cell, stripped the prisoners naked, took the beds out, forced the ringleaders of the prisoner rebellion into solitary confinement, and generally began to harass and intimidate the prisoners.
Why do prisoners get their heads shaved?
Prisoners commonly have their heads shaven to prevent the spread of lice, but it may also be used as a demeaning measure. Having the head shaved can be a punishment prescribed in law.
Who was prisoner 819?
#819. The only prisoner who did not want to speak to the priest was Prisoner #819, who was feeling sick, had refused to eat, and wanted to see a doctor rather than a priest. Eventually he was persuaded to come out of his cell and talk to the priest and superintendent so we could see what kind of a doctor he needed.
What happened to prisoner #8612 after the experiment?
#8612 was then given the offer of becoming an informant in exchange for no further guard harassment.
How do female inmates shave?
Women sometimes share razors Lots of hooking up in the bathroom stalls and showers. Something really weird, every few days they passed out electric shavers, there was one for each bunk and there would be a line of girls using these old shavers to dry shave their legs and pubes in the bathroom.
Can you have a beard in jail?
(h) Facial hair, including beards, mustaches, and sideburns are permitted for male inmates and shall be maintained in a manner as defined in this section.
Why do prisoners wear orange?
To make escape more difficult, prison uniforms in the United States often consist of a distinctive orange jumpsuit or set of scrubs with a white T-shirt underneath, as it is difficult for an escaped inmate to avoid recognition and recapture in such distinctive attire.
How did the good guards react to what the bad guards were doing in the Stanford experiment?
How did the good guards react to what the bad guards were doing? ○ The good guards did not perform immoral actions tothe prisoners, however they did not do too much to help or stop the guards. The bad guards overpowered the good guards.
How did the prisoners and guards conform to their roles?
During the experiment, how did the prisoners and guards conform to their roles? P prisoners overall don't stand up for themselves, in short period of time their thinking was distorted. Pex Guards used PREX Guards used power, intimidation. the harm = just the outcome.
How did the guards break the solidarity of the prisoners as a group after the disobedient behavior of prisoner 819?
The guards took the prisoners' beds and even utilized solitary confinement. They also began to use psychological tactics, attempting to break prisoner solidarity by creating a privilege cell.
How did the guards break the solidarity of the prisoners as a group after the disobedient behavior of prisoner 819 What do think was the goal of the guards with this?
How did the guards break up the solidarity of the prisoners as a group after the disobedience behavior of prisoner 819? How did they make sure that the prisoners felt like prisoners before they even entered their cells? Brought to prison basement blindfolded to confuse them, then they were stripped and deloused.
Why was the Stanford Prison Experiment attacked?
The Stanford Prison Experiment immediately came under attack on methodological and ethical grounds. Zimbardo admitted that during the experiment he had sometimes felt more like a prison superintendent than a research psychologist.
How long did the Stanford Prison experiment last?
However, mistreatment of prisoners escalated so alarmingly that principal investigator Philip G. Zimbardo terminated the experiment after only six days. Stanford Prison Experiment. ...
How did the prisoners of the Zimbardo experiment work?
On only the second day the prisoners staged a rebellion. Guards then worked out a system of rewards and punishments to manage the prisoners. Within the first four days, three prisoners had become so traumatized that they were released. Over the course of the experiment, some of the guards became cruel and tyrannical, while a number of the prisoners became depressed and disoriented. However, only after an outside observer came upon the scene and registered shock did Zimbardo conclude the experiment, less than a week after it had started.
What was the most conspicuous challenge to the Stanford findings?
The most conspicuous challenge to the Stanford findings came decades later in the form of the BBC Prison Study , a differently organized experiment documented in a British Broadcasting Corporation series called The Experiment (2002). The BBC’s mock prisoners turned out to be more assertive than Zimbardo’s.
How many prisoners were released in the first four days of the experiment?
Within the first four days, three prisoners had become so traumatized that they were released. Over the course of the experiment, some of the guards became cruel and tyrannical, while a number of the prisoners became depressed and disoriented.
How many people responded to the Prison Life advertisement?
More than 70 young men responded to an advertisement about a “psychological study of prison life,” and experimenters selected 24 applicants who were judged to be physically and mentally healthy. The paid subjects—they received $15 a day—were divided randomly into equal numbers of guards and prisoners.
What was the Stanford Prison Experiment?
Known as the Stanford Prison Experiment, the study went on to become one of the best-known (and controversial) in psychology's history. 1. The study has long been a staple in textbooks, articles, ...
What did the researchers want to know about prison?
The researchers wanted to know how the participants would react when placed in a simulated prison environment. The researchers wondered if physically and psychologically healthy people who knew they were participating in an experiment would change their behavior in a prison-like setting. 2.
Who Were the Participants?
The researchers set up a mock prison in the basement of Stanford University's psychology building. They selected 24 undergraduate students to play the roles of both prisoners and guards.
How many hours did the guards work in the mock prison?
The 24 volunteers were then randomly assigned to either the prisoner group or the 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, guards were allowed to return to their homes until their next shift.
Why did the guards become submissive?
Because the guards were placed in a position of power, they began to behave in ways they would not usually act in their everyday lives or other situations. The prisoners, placed in a situation where they had no real control, became submissive and depressed.
Why did one participant fake a breakdown?
One participant, for example, has suggested that he faked a breakdown so that he could leave the experiment because he was worried about failing his classes.
What were the interactions between prisoners and guards?
While the prisoners and guards were allowed to interact in any way they wanted, the interactions were hostile or even dehumanizing.
What were the prison guards wearing in the Stanford prison?
Prisoners were given ill-fitting smocks and told to wear large stocking caps. Each had a short length of chain looped around his ankle to drive home their status as prisoners.
What punishment was used during the Stanford experiment?
PrisonExp.org As a form of punishment during the Stanford experiment, a prisoner is made to scrub a toilet.
How did Zimbardo recruit subjects for his test?
Zimbardo recruited subjects for his test by placing an ad in the Stanford Daily, asking for “male students” who were needed “to participate in a psychological study of prison life.”. The ad promised compensation of $15 a day (equivalent to roughly $90 in 2017).
What did Zimbardo do to the prisoner?
When a rumor got started about prisoner #8612 coming back with a small army of supporters to stage a jailbreak, none other than Zimbardo ordered the basement prison to be disassembled and moved upstairs while he waited alone in the basement for the attackers. He later said his plan, if the man had actually shown up, was to tell him the experiment had been terminated and to send him home.
What was the purpose of the Zimbardo experiment?
Navy and Marine Corps — Zimbardo devised a psychological experiment that saw two-dozen otherwise normal young men randomly assigned the role of either prisoner or guard for what was intended to be a two-week role-playing exercise.
Why did Zimbardo speak at the court martial?
At the court-martial, Zimbardo was able to speak with a certain expertise on the subject of prisoner abuse because he had once participated in it himself. PrisonExp.org A naked prisoner stands behind bars during the Stanford prison experiment. For six days, between August 14 and 20, 1971, he had been the “warden” of a mock prison in the basement ...
What happened after the Stanford experiment?
Zimbardo’s findings immediately found relevance when, just two weeks after the Stanford prison experiment ended, inmates in the notorious San Quentin and Attica prisons rose up in violent revolts that were strikingly similar to what had happened on day two of the experiment at Stanford.
Stanford Prison Experiment Summary
On August 17, 1971, the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment experiment began in Palo Alto, California when nine male college students were arrested for armed robbery and burglary. But these students weren't criminals, and in fact, they had volunteered to be arrested.
Stanford Prison Experiment Results
To the researchers' surprise, the experiment produced almost immediate results. Right away, the guards got to work on deciding how they were going to implement control of their prison. First, they began to introduce physical punishments, as they forced the prisoners to do push-ups while stepping on their backs.
Stanford Prison Experiment Ethics
While the Stanford Prison Experiment is heavily cited in psychology textbooks, the fact is that it violated many ethical principles as follows.
What did the guards wear in the prison?
They also had a tight nylon cap to cover their hair, and a locked chain around one ankle . All guards were dressed in identical uniforms of khaki, and they carried a whistle around their neck and a billy club borrowed from the police. Guards also wore special sunglasses, to make eye contact with prisoners impossible.
How did the guards retaliate against the prisoners?
The guards retaliated by using a fire extinguisher which shot a stream of skin-chilling carbon dioxide, and they forced the prisoners away from the doors. Next, the guards broke into each cell, stripped the prisoners naked and took the beds out.
What are some examples of conflict between prisoner and guard?
For example, prisoner and guards may have personalities which make conflict inevitable, with prisoners lacking respect for law and order and guards being domineering and aggressive.
Why did the guards wear sunglasses?
Guards also wore special sunglasses, to make eye contact with prisoners impossible. Three guards worked shifts of eight hours each (the other guards remained on call). Guards were instructed to do whatever they thought was necessary to maintain law and order in the prison and to command the respect of the prisoners.
What did Zimbardo do to study prison?
To study the roles people play in prison situations, Zimbardo converted a basement of the Stanford University psychology building into a mock prison. He advertised asking for volunteers to participate in a study of the psychological effects of prison life.
What punishment did the guards give to prisoners?
Physical Punishment . The prisoners were taunted with insults and petty orders, they were given pointless and boring tasks to accomplish, and they were generally dehumanized. Push-ups were a common form of physical punishment imposed by the guards.
How did prisoners barricade themselves?
During the second day of the experiment, the prisoners removed their stocking caps, ripped off their numbers, and barricaded themselves inside the cells by putting their beds against the door.
What was the prison uniform?
The prisoner was then issued a uniform. The main part of this uniform was a smock, or short dress, which each prisoner wore at all times with no underclothes. On the smock, in front and in back, was his prison ID number. On each prisoner's right ankle was a heavy chain, bolted on and worn at all times. Rubber sandals were the footwear, and each prisoner covered his hair with a cap made from a nylon stocking.
Why was the prisoner stripped naked?
Each prisoner was systematically searched and stripped naked. He was then deloused with a spray, to convey our belief that he may have germs or lice – as can be seen in this series of photos.
Why do prisoners have chains on their feet?
The chain on their foot, which also is uncommon in most prisons, was used in order to remind prisoners of the oppressiveness of their environment. Even when prisoners were asleep, they could not escape the atmosphere of oppression. When a prisoner turned over, the chain would hit his other foot, waking him up and reminding him that he was still in prison, unable to escape even in his dreams.
Why did prisoners use ID numbers?
The use of ID numbers was a way to make prisoners feel anonymous. Each prisoner had to be called only by his ID number and could only refer to himself and the other prisoners by number.
What happens when a prisoner turns over?
Even when prisoners were asleep, they could not escape the atmosphere of oppression. When a prisoner turned over, the chain would hit his other foot, waking him up and reminding him that he was still in prison, unable to escape even in his dreams.
Do prisoners wear smocks?
It should be clear that we were trying to create a functional simulation of a prison – not a literal prison. Real prisoners don't wear smocks, but they do feel controlled and at times humiliated. Our goal was to produce similar effects quickly by putting men in a smock without any underclothes. Indeed, as soon as some of our prisoners were put in these uniforms, they began to walk and to sit differently, and to hold themselves differently.
What did the guards do in the prison cell?
The guards broke into each cell, stripped the prisoners naked, took the beds out, forced the ringleaders of the prisoner rebellion into solitary confinement, and generally began to harass and intimidate the prisoners.
Why did prisoners believe that the subjects selected to be guards were chosen?
Most prisoners believed that the subjects selected to be guards were chosen because they were bigger than those who were made prisoners, but actually, there was no difference in the average height of the two groups. What do you think caused this misperception?
What is the greatest threat to a prisoner's life?
In fact, in a real prison the greatest threat to any prisoner's life comes from fellow prisoners. By dividing and conquering in this way, guards promote aggression among inmates, thereby deflecting it from themselves. The prisoners' rebellion also played an important role in producing greater solidarity among the guards.
What were the psychological tactics of the Rebellion?
Psychological tactics amounted to setting up a privilege cell. One of the three cells was designated as a "privilege cell.". The three prisoners least involved in the rebellion were given special privileges. They got their uniforms back, got their beds back, and were allowed to wash and brush their teeth.
What Was The Experiment About?
Who Were The Participants?
- The researchers set up a mock prison in the basement of Stanford University's psychology building. They selected 24 undergraduate students to play the roles of both prisoners and guards. The participants were chosen from a larger group of 70 volunteers because they had no criminal background, lacked psychological issues, and had no significant medical conditions. The volunt…
The 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. One tiny space was designated as the solitary confinement room, and yet another small room served as the prison yard. The 24 volunteers were then r...
Results
- While the Stanford Prison Experiment was originally slated to last 14 days, it had to be stopped after just six due to what was happening to the student participants.The guards became abusive, and the prisoners began to show signs of extreme stress and anxiety. Some of these included: 1. While the prisoners and guards were allowed to interact in any way they wanted, the interaction…
Impact
- The experiment became famous and was widely cited in textbooks and other publications. According to Zimbardo and his colleagues, the Stanford Prison Experiment demonstrated the powerful role that the situation can play in human behavior. Because the guards were placed in a position of power, they began to behave in ways they would not usually act in their everyday live…
Criticisms of The Stanford Prison Experiment
- In the years since the experiment was conducted, there have been a number of critiques of the study. Some of these include:
A Word from Verywell
- The Stanford Prison Experiment is well known both in and out of the field of psychology. While the study has long been criticized for many reasons, more recent criticisms of the study's procedures shine a brighter light on the experiment's scientific shortcomings.