Essay on the Zimbardo Stanford Corrections Experiment
Write a 600-word essay that discusses the Zimbardo Stanford Corrections Experiment. Explain why
this type of dangerous experiment is no longer allowed.
The Zimbardo
Experiment was a study conducted by psychology professor Philip Zimbardo. It
was conducted by a team of researchers led by professor Zimbardo at Standford
University on August of 1971. The main goal of the study was to examine the
effects of becoming a prisoner and a prison guard. The research team were set
out to test the hypothesis that the inherent traits of both the prison guards
and inmates are the main cause behind the abusive behavior and treatment in
prison (Baynard, et al 60).
The study
involved recruiting 75 respondents who were informed that they would
participate in a simulated prison for two weeks. Out of the 75 participants,
Zimbardo selected 24 males who are deemed to be the healthiest and
psychologically fit. Most of the respondents were also white males coming from
middle-class families. The selected respondents were also asked to take on
randomly assigned roles of guards and inmates in a simulated prison located at
the basement of Stanford psychology building. The group was equally divided to
play the roles as 12 participants were given the role of a prisoner while the
remaining 12 were assigned to be the prison guards. Zimbardo on the other hand,
tool the role of a superintendent while one of the research assistant played
the role of a warden (Baynard, et al 60).
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In order to
fully play the role, the researchers held an orientation session for the guards
before the experiment. Part of the instructions were not to physically harm the
prisoners, however, they can create a feeling of boredom and some degree of
fear among the inmates. Similarly, Zimbardo instructed the guards to create a
notion that the prisoner’s lives are under their total control and that they
are powerless. They were also given a wooden baton as part of their new
identity. The prisoners on the other hand, were arrested and were given full
arrest procedures such as mug shots and finger printing among many others. In
addition, the prisoners wore uncomfortable smocks and were called by the numbers
sewn in their uniforms (Baynard, et al 60).
The result of
the experiment showed how the prison guards fully performed the role given to
them. In fact, most of the guards verbally abused the prisoners and used
psychological tactics in order to control them. This includes forcing the
inmates to memorize their numbers to forge their new identity and event
protracted exercise for mistakes. The condition began to exacerbate as some of
the prison guards refused to let the inmates to use the toilet and instead use
the bucket placed in the cell to urinate and defecate and as a punishment,
prisoners were not allowed to empty the bucket. Some of the guards also showed
genuine sadistic tendencies by letting the prisoners sleep on the concrete
floor. Even Zimbardo admitted how he himself was completely absorbed with the
experiment. Meanwhile, the prisoners experienced fear while some even acted
crazy and was released from the experiment (Baynard, et al 60).
The experiment
lasted for only six days after a graduate student raised concerns regarding the
morality of the test. However, Zimbardo concluded that this experiment only
showed how people obediently respond to ideology. Today however, this extreme
type of experiment is not conducted primarily because of its strong
psychological impact on its respondents. In particular, respondents such as
those who played the role of guards and prisoners suffered from fear and even
developed negative behaviors. This only means that experiment such as this is
morally and ethically incorrect as it puts the well-being of the respondents in
danger, despite the fact that it is conducted to obtain knowledge (Baynard, et
al 60).
Cited Works
Baynard, Philip
& Cara Flanagan. Ethical Issues and
Guidelines in Psychology. New York:
Routledge,
2005
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