Stanford Prison Experiment PDF

Preview

Summary

Assess the value of social psychology by evaluating and analyzing the Zimbardo experiment....

Description

Zimbardo’s Research Paper Angelina Fantasia PSYCH/620 November 4, 2019 Dr. Jennifer Friedrich

Zimbardo’s Research Paper Introduction The 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment conducted by Dr. Zimbardo is still one of the most controversial studies in social psychology. The purpose of this experiment was to demonstrate the powerful role a situation can play in human behavior (Cherry, 2019). Plagued with ethical issues and with ecological validity in question, the experiment, originally planned for two weeks, lasted only six days. This writer intends to discuss the value of the study in relation to social psychology, the relevance of the study in relation to contemporary world issues and the value of the study in relation to humanity as a whole. This writer will further discuss the problems and ethical concerns which the study created as well as the current safeguards in place to reduce the likelihood of ethical concerns arising in research studies. Stanford Prison Experiment In 1971, Dr. Zimbardo placed a want-ad in the local newspaper. This ad requested young adults, no prior criminal arrests, no known psychological issues and no known medical issues to participate in a 1 to 2 week study. The pay was fifteen ($15) dollars per day. With over 70 casting calls, 24 individuals were selected and given a series of numerous comprehensive psychological tests. The group of 24 was then divided randomly into two categories: prison guard and prisoners. The prison guards were provided a uniform and reported to the “prison” (the basement of Stanford University Psychology building) to become acclimated and make the place “their own”. The prisoners were officially arrested, blindfolded and transported to the “prison” for the booking process, stripped and deloused (Classic studies in psychology, 2007). The “prison” was staffed with Dr. Zimbardo as the Warden and 3 guards on 8-hour shifts. Data was observed by hidden cameras and microphones (Cherry, 2019).

Day 2 On day 2 of the experiment, the prisoners rebelled against the guards. The guards asserted their authority over the prisoners by stripping each prisoner, providing no food or water and placing them in a tiny cell called solitary confinement. The level of torture and abuse only escalated from that day as the guards continued to maintain law and order within the walls of the “prison” (Classic studies in psychology, 2007). Day 3 through 6 After 36 hours, an individual had an emotional breakdown, complete with crying and severe anxiety. This individual was sent home. After the 5th day, 5 more individuals suffered breakdowns and had to be sent home (Classic studies in psychology, 2007). The remaining prisoners, the rest of whom were dismissed on day 6 of the study, became what Dr. Zimbardo called “zombies”, or mindlessly obedient (Classic studies in psychology, 2007). These prisoners who started as rebels against society were now mere puppets in the hands of the guards. Ethics and Issues This study violated many ethic standards, most important one being do no harm to others (American Psychological Association, 2017). From day 2 through day 6 of this study, the guards actions against the prisoners were increasingly violent and inhumane. Although the study was stopped on the 6th day, Dr. Zimbardo admitted that was not soon enough (Cherry, 2019). The participants suffered not only physical pain, but also emotional and mental pain. Another issue with this study was the lack of generalizability. The participants selected were mostly white, middle-class males. This did not allow for a wide-spread area of knowledge. Finally, another issue was the lack of ecological validity. Although the attempt to simulate a prison was made, it

is impossible to mimic all situations and environmental exposures as those inside a real prison (Cherry, 2019). Value of this study “The Stanford Prison Experiment is one of psychology’s most dramatic illustrations on how good people can be transformed into perpetrators of evil…” (Demonstrating the power of social situations via a simulated prison experiment, 2004). This study brought to light just how deeply a situation can affect an individual. It further presented a clearer view of deindividuation. Deindividuation is the state where one becomes so immersed in the social norms, or the norms of a particular group, that the individual loses its own identity, which may explain the guard’s behavior in this study. As for the prisoners, they experienced more of a learned helplessness. No matter what they did or said, they had no control over any part of the study (McLeod, 2018). Safeguards Safeguards have been put into place to protect prisoners from abuse and torture, much attributed to this study. Researchers have been able to restudy the data and learn from the mistakes and violations, making a stronger, more safe option for the prisoners and guards. The one pro to this study is that is sensitized individuals to how easy it is to abuse power (Classic studies in psychology, 2007). Conclusion While this study had ethical violations and several issues concerning validity, the results have been used to teach many different and valuable skills and tools. It is important to realize just how quickly situations can influence how an individual acts, and how quickly a situation can get out of hand. It is important to be mindful when getting into a situation to know where you stand.

References Cherry, K. (2019). The Stanford prison experiment. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/the-stanford-prison-experiment-2794995 Classic studies in psychology [Video file]. (2007). Retrieved November 3, 2019, from https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=18566&xtid=40125 Demonstrating the power of social situations via a simulated prison experiment. (2004). American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/research/action/prison Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. (2017). American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/ McLeod, S. A. (2018). Zimbardo – Stanford prison experiment. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/zimbardo.html...