Zimbardo's Prison Experiment

In Zimbardo's Prison Study how were the prisoners and guards allocated?

• Participants said which role they preferred to take

• Zimbardo decided who should go in each group

• Randomly

• First 12 to volunteer allocated prisoner role, second 12 guards

What sampling method did Zimbardo use to recruit potential participants for his prison study?

• Systematic

• Opportunity

• Volunteer

• Random

In the Zimbardo's prison study, how many partcipants were selected to take part?

• 20

• 21

• 24

• 28

Answer explanation

24 were asked to take part, 21 actually took part in the end.

How long was the study scheduled to last?

• 3 days

• 6 days

• 9 days

• 14 days

After how many days was Zimbardo's prison study stopped?

• 3

• 6

• 9

• 14

Why were prisoners addressed by number instead of name?

• So they didn't have to remember everyone's name

• To make the research report anonymous

• Deinvidualisation

• To embarrass them

Which research method was used by Zimbardo in his famous (1973) SPE?

• Field Experiment

• Controlled Observation

• Quasi Experiment

• Lab Experiment

Answer explanation

It is a lab experiment because it took place in a highly controlled environment where they manipulated the IV (prisoners and guards) and controlled the DV. It was not an observation even though they collected qualitative data. This was in the 2023 exam and 60% of answers were incorrect!

One problem with Zimbardo's study was...

• Zimbardo was just an observer and played no role in prison life

• Zimbardo got informed consent from the participants to be arrested from their homes

• Zimbardo predicted that the guards were going to be as cruel as they were.

• Zimbardo's study cannot be easily replicated due to the ethical issues it has

Which study had a sample of 123 participants?

• Asch

• Zimbardo

• Milgram

In Zimbardo's study, what percentage of conversations were about prison life?

• 65%

• 75%

• 90%

• 100%