In the Stanford Prison Experiment, researchers assigned a number of college-aged participants to portray either prisoners or guards in a mock prison. The researchers were interested in assessing the effect this contrived situation had on the attitudes and behavior of both the prisoners and guards. The experiment began with the prisoners being arrested at their residences and then processed in a manner similar to what might occur in a genuine prison, including having the prisoners stripped of clothes, sprayed with a cleaning spray, given a uniform, and given a number, which is what they were called. Guards also wore uniforms. There was a typical prison schedule that the prisoners and guards followed. There was little instruction from the researchers about how the guards and prisoners should behave.A number of data were collected during the experiment, including behavioral observations, mood ratings, and qualitative observations. A prominent result of the experiment was that the attitudes and outlooks of both the prisoners and guards became increasingly negative. In addition, without instruction from experimenters about how to behave, prisoners and guards naturally assumed their stereotypical roles, with prisoners being passive and guards being assertive. Furthermore, this behavior often became extreme, with some guards being verbally abusive of prisoners.The experiment had to be terminated early, after less than one week, after several prisoners became very distressed. None of the guards wanted to end the experiment early. In interviews shortly after the experiment, several of the prisoners remained distressed, and some guards additionally were distressed about their perceived abuse of power. In long-term follow-ups, all participants viewed their experience as one which was difficult but ultimately rewarding in regard to the insight they gained.Adapted from Zimbardo et al. A Study of PrisonThe Stanford Prisoners and Guards in a Simulated Prison. Naval Research Review. 1973 under CCBY 4.0 Question 21Which of the following would have likely lessened the effects observed in the study? I. One guard stating that the treatment of prisoners was too harsh II. Giving information that past participants acted in similarly harsh ways III. Assigning roles based on a personality profile A.I onlyB.II onlyC.I and II onlyD.I and III only
Question
In the Stanford Prison Experiment, researchers assigned a number of college-aged participants to portray either prisoners or guards in a mock prison. The researchers were interested in assessing the effect this contrived situation had on the attitudes and behavior of both the prisoners and guards. The experiment began with the prisoners being arrested at their residences and then processed in a manner similar to what might occur in a genuine prison, including having the prisoners stripped of clothes, sprayed with a cleaning spray, given a uniform, and given a number, which is what they were called. Guards also wore uniforms. There was a typical prison schedule that the prisoners and guards followed. There was little instruction from the researchers about how the guards and prisoners should behave.A number of data were collected during the experiment, including behavioral observations, mood ratings, and qualitative observations. A prominent result of the experiment was that the attitudes and outlooks of both the prisoners and guards became increasingly negative. In addition, without instruction from experimenters about how to behave, prisoners and guards naturally assumed their stereotypical roles, with prisoners being passive and guards being assertive. Furthermore, this behavior often became extreme, with some guards being verbally abusive of prisoners.The experiment had to be terminated early, after less than one week, after several prisoners became very distressed. None of the guards wanted to end the experiment early. In interviews shortly after the experiment, several of the prisoners remained distressed, and some guards additionally were distressed about their perceived abuse of power. In long-term follow-ups, all participants viewed their experience as one which was difficult but ultimately rewarding in regard to the insight they gained.Adapted from Zimbardo et al. A Study of PrisonThe Stanford Prisoners and Guards in a Simulated Prison. Naval Research Review. 1973 under CCBY 4.0 Question 21Which of the following would have likely lessened the effects observed in the study? I. One guard stating that the treatment of prisoners was too harsh II. Giving information that past participants acted in similarly harsh ways III. Assigning roles based on a personality profile A.I onlyB.II onlyC.I and II onlyD.I and III only
Solution
The answer is D. I and III only.
Explanation:
I. One guard stating that the treatment of prisoners was too harsh: This could have potentially lessened the effects observed in the study by providing a different perspective and challenging the harsh treatment of prisoners, which may have influenced the behavior of other guards.
II. Giving information that past participants acted in similarly harsh ways: This would likely not lessen the effects observed in the study. Instead, it might reinforce the behavior as it suggests that such harsh treatment is a norm or expected in the experiment.
III. Assigning roles based on a personality profile: This could potentially lessen the effects observed in the study. If roles were assigned based on personality profiles, individuals who are less likely to engage in harsh treatment or who are more resilient to such treatment could have been selected, potentially reducing the severity of the behaviors observed.
Similar Questions
A research project in which some students acted as prisoners and some acted as guards was called _____.A.the Stanford prison experimentB.the Robbers Cave experimentC.the Group Scapegoat experimentD.Jane Elliott's class experiment
What was the main conclusion drawn from the Stanford prison experiment?Group of answer choicessocial roles are powerful determinants of human behaviorstudents cannot be relied upon to act appropriatelystudents cannot be trusted in roles of authoritywhen operating in a group, some people will put forth less effort than if they were operating alone
Question 14Although the Stanford Prison Experiment is a classic study in social psychology, it took place before modern-day ethical guidelines. Indeed, if Professor Plous were to propose a "Wesleyan Prison Experiment" identical to the original study, his university's Institutional Review Board (IRB) would reject the proposal, because modern IRBs never approve studies that:1 pointGenerate negative emotions among participants Lead people to behave in ways that they later regrettedDo not allow participants to choose their role (prisoner or guard)Do not obtain "informed consent" from the participants
What caused researchers to stop the Stanford prison experiment after only six days?A.The students who were guards were unable to control the prisoners.B.The students acting as prisoners were showing signs of extreme distress.C.The students who were acting as prisoners were aggressive and cruel.D.The students' parents had not given their consent to the experiment.
The Stanford University Prison Experiment was:Funded by the US NavyA study of obedienceA study of power dynamicsA study of the abuse of powerAll of the aboveNone of the above
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