Zimbardo (1973) : A study of prisoners and guards in a simulated prison
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Orientation session for guards
During this session, the guards were told that they were not permitted to physically harm the prisoners, but they could use various psychological methods to degrade and dehumanize the prisoners in order to instill a feeling of powerlessness. -
The arrest and induction
On a quiet Sunday morning a California police car went through the town picking up college students. Participants assigned the role of prisoners were arrested at their homes by the local police department, which had agreed to assist Zimbardo, and charged for armed robbery and burglary. The suspects (one at a time) were taken to the police station. Then the suspect fwas ingerprinted, photographed and then thrown into a cell where he was left blindfolded. -
Journey from the police cell to 'prison'
Upon arrival, the prisoners were each greeted individually by the warden, who recounted to them the seriousness of their crimes.
Each prisoner was then searched, stripped naked and deloused with a spray and issued with his uniform. A chain around their ankle further reinforced the role of prisoner. -
Abortion of Study Considered
Zimbardo considers abandoning the study as guards are not role-playing as guards well enough. Guards were against the role they were assigned, clearly stating their preferred role as prisoners. Study is continued nonetheless to obtain any sort of result(s). -
Prisoner #8612 released
At the end of the first day, prisoner #8612 had to be released because he was suffering from acute emotional disturbance, disorganised thinking, uncontrollable crying, screaming and rage. Priosner #8612 was the first prisoner to have a mental breakdown and was released just 36 hours of his time in the prison. He was also a spy and had to observe the tactics used by the guards and the prisoners in the prison. -
Prisoners rebellion
On the morning of the second day the prisoners rebelled: they removed their caps, tore off their ID number tags and barricaded themselves in the cells. They also teased and taunted the guards. Guards on duty asked other guards for help. Using a fire extinguisher they forced the prisoners away from the doors, broke into each cell, stripped the prisoners naked, took the beds out, and forced some of the prisoners into solitary confinement. -
Punishment for rebelling
After several of the guards from other shifts helping to subdue the prisoners, the revolters were punished by being strip searcehd and thrown into 'The Hole' (solitiary confinement) -
Period: to
Timespan of the experiment
Length the experiment was expected to last for (2 Weeks) but ended in 6 days instead. -
Scheduled Day for Research feedback
Some actions planned, like Prisoner Grievance Committee Meeting, and Visitor's night, and unplanned, like responding to rumor of a break- in by former prisoner 8612's buddies that evening in order "to liberate the prison." Guards create cell 3 as "Good Prisoner Cell," with the three prisoners least involved in the riot yesterday and most generally obedient; they get special privileges of eating slightly better meals, get their beds back, and shorter work routines. -
Cell 3 - For the 'Good' prisoners
After the revolt or rebelling of the prisoners, those who were an obedient priosners were given special privileges compared to the other prisoner. those privileges were: - Beds - Shorter work routines - Slightly better meals -
Prisoner #819 did a Bad Thing!
Prisoner #819 still sobbing in his cell. Vandalism to property and defiant attitude towards guards noted. Due to his actions, other prisoners received various punishments. After dinner, Zimbardo decides to release him early as he may show symptoms of psychological breakdown. Prisoner #819 refuses to leave, stating he must prove to fellow prisoners his conscious. -
Priest provided, some prisoners released, new prisoner
A priest is called for at the demands of the prisoners, one of many such demands. Priest reports that prisoner #819's continual crying is a first responder reaction and may be called a "sissy boy" by fellow prisoners and/or prison guards for unmanly behaviour. New prisoner #2093, nicknamed "Sarge" for his military style of obeying orders and asking for physical display of strength if punishment befalls him. -
The guards settle into their roles
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Overwhelming Action by Prisoners
New prisoner #5704 suddenly refuses to eat meals at assigned times. Guards try to force him to eat, but to no avail, thus receiving degrading punishments. Prisoner #3045, who was quite obedient and silent for the time, suddenly snapped and went ballistic, uncontrollably crying and distressed. Has to be released early. -
A chain of events
During this time, many of the prisoners were realeased early due to signs of a mental breakdown. those who remained defied the guards by going on hunger strikes and desobeying orders. -
Prisoner #416 went on a Hunger Strike
Was an act of Rebellion, he went on a hunger strike so that he could be released as one of the prisoners told him that it was impossible to quit. -
Release
After seeing the punishment of the prisoners by the guards and realising how horrific their actions were, Zimbardo anounced that the experiment was over and they were all free to leave. Zimbardo decided to end the experiment the next day because the "guards" started to behave sadistically and the prisoners began behaving in a certain way. He also ended it because watching the video tapes, the prison guards would increase the abuse on the prisoners and Christina Maslach (Stanford Ph.D) questioned -
Official closing
5PM. Stanford County Jail is officially closed forever. It only lasted 6 days in total because within the 6 days the prisoners showed signs of stress and became depressed.
