Zimbardo Prison Experiment (1971)
Procedure
- Well-adjusted, healthy male volunteers were paid $15 a day to take part in a two-week simulation.
- Volunteers randomly allocated roles of prisoners and guards.
- Local police arrested 9 prisoners at their homes without warning. They were taken to the 'prison', stripped, deloused and given smocks to wear with their prisoner number.
- Three guards on each shift wore khaki and sunglasses, carrying batons.
- No physical violence was permitted.
Findings
- The guards harassed and humiliated the prisoners and conformed to their perceived roles.
- Study was cancelled after six days.
- Prisoners rebelled against guards after two days.
- Some prisoners became depressed and anxious and had to be released early.
- By day six, prisoners were completely submissive to the guards.
Conclusion
- The participants experienced Normative Social Influence.
- People will readily conform to the social roles they are expected to play.
- The roles that people play shape their attitudes and behaviour. (Internalisation)
