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Haney and Zimbardo (1973) - Simulated prison (Method (Lab exp, Told that…
Haney and Zimbardo (1973) - Simulated prison
Aim
Find out whether it is the individuals or the situation that made prisons brutal
Sample
Male volunteers study of prison life $15 a day
75 did questionnaires about fam background, physical/mental health etc
24 were selected to be ps (most stable/mature/least involved in antisocial behaviours)
white except one asian
all were normal, healthy college students who were in Stanford area for the summer
Randomly assigned to role of prisoner/guard
Location
Mock prison built in basement of Stanny'ssych building
Method
Lab exp
Told that they'd be assigned to play the roles for 2 weeks
Signed a contract that prisoners would be under surveillance (0 privacy) that some of their civil rights suspended (excl. physical abuse)
Guards were told that their assigned task was to maintain order
Not to let prisoners escape
Deliberately give minimal guidelines
Prisoners arrested @ home (not part of contract), handcuffed
Stripped, sprayed with deodorant and made to stand naked (depersonalised)
Guards were brought to prison and helped set it up established set of rules and rights for prisoners
Background
Characteristics observed in real prisons
power and powerlessness
control and oppression
satisfaction and frustration
arbitrary rule and resistance to authority
status and anonymity
machismo and emasculation
Uniforms
Guards
Military attitude: khaki shirts & trousers
Carried whistle and night-stick (symbols of control, power, and machismo)
Wore reflective sunglasses, eye contact impossible
Prisoners
Loose-fitting muslin smocks and identification number on back and front (loss of identity)
Emasculate: smocks made prisoners adopt female postures
chain and lock was worn on one ankle (oppression and restriction)
Results
Stopped after 6 days
Revolt on day 2 guards quickly put down
Days went on prisoners showed passivity, dependence and flattened mood
5had to be released bc of extreme emotional depression, crying, rage and acute anxiety
(pathological prisoner syndrome)
Remaining prisoners were asked if they would be willing to forfeit the money to be set free, only 2 said no
Exp over, prisoners were delighted, guards distressed
Guards turned up on time for shifts, stayed on duty for hours w/o additional pay
BUT
not all guards indulged in cruelty and prisoners showed ID in successful adaptation to situation
Conclusion
Implies that it is the structure and organisation of prison environment which leads to brutal behaviour as normal average young men behaved brutally to fit in with their role as guard