Selects: How the Stanford Prison Experiment Worked
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Deep Dive
Why did the Stanford Prison Experiment attract participants who were biased against prisons?
The experiment advertised itself as a 'prison experiment,' which attracted individuals already inclined towards prison reform or against the prison system.
Why did the Stanford Prison Experiment fail to include a control group?
Zimbardo did not set up a control group, which is crucial for scientific comparison, likely because he was more focused on proving the inherent brutality of prisons.
Why did the guards in the Stanford Prison Experiment become cruel so quickly?
The guards were coached by researchers to be more brutal, turning them into co-experimenters rather than passive participants, which influenced their behavior.
Why did Douglas Corpy fake a nervous breakdown during the Stanford Prison Experiment?
Corpy faked the breakdown to escape the experiment, which he found unpleasant and not what he expected when he signed up.
Why did Zimbardo's girlfriend, Christine Maslach, intervene in the Stanford Prison Experiment?
Maslach was outraged by the cruel treatment of the prisoners and the chaotic conditions, leading her to insist that Zimbardo stop the experiment.
Why did Zimbardo's findings about inherent human cruelty gain widespread acceptance?
The findings resonated with the public's concerns about the Vietnam War, the Maile Massacre, and the Attica prison riot, tying into broader societal debates about authority and brutality.
Why did Zimbardo attempt to discredit the BBC Prison Study?
Zimbardo reportedly tried to prevent the BBC Prison Study from being published because it contradicted his findings and showed less brutality among guards and prisoners when not coached.
Why did Zimbardo involve himself in the Stanford Prison Experiment?
Zimbardo acted as the superintendent, likely to ensure the experiment reflected his views on the inherent brutality of prisons, but this compromised the objectivity of the study.
Why did the Stanford Prison Experiment conclude after only six days?
The experiment was halted after six days due to the extreme psychological distress of the participants and the intervention of Zimbardo's girlfriend, Christine Maslach.
Why did the Stanford Prison Experiment become a notorious example of ethical malfeasance?
The experiment is criticized for its lack of scientific rigor, ethical violations, and the manipulation of participants, making it a cautionary tale in research ethics.
- The Stanford Prison Experiment is often criticized for its poor execution.
- Zimbardo's involvement as the superintendent tainted the experiment.
- The experiment's findings are widely open to interpretation.
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