The Stanford Prison Experiment

What was the purpose of this experiment?

• To determine whether the guards brutality was situational

• To scare the “prisoners” of what happens when they commit a crime

• To give these men the experience of prison

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

• 3

• 14

• 6

• 8

Which of the following quotes best encompasses a central idea of the study’s findings?

• “Within a very short time both guards and prisoners were settling into their new roles” (Paragraph 10)

• “As the prisoners became more submissive, the guards became more aggressive and assertive” (Paragraph 16)

• “the roles that people play can shape their behavior and attitudes” (Paragraph 19)

• “Many said they hadn’t known this side of them existed or that they were capable of such things” (Paragraph 21)

PART A: What does the word “deindividuation” mean as it is used in paragraph 7?

• The process of adopting someone into a group.

• The process of physically torturing a person to make them feel inferior.

• The process of making someone feel uncomfortable and ashamed.

• The process of stripping someone of their identity.

PART B: Which phrase from paragraph 8 BEST supports the answer to Part A?

• “personal possessions removed and locked away”

• “referred to by their number only”

• “clothes comprised a smock”

• “chain around one ankle”

Which statement best captures the author’s point of view and purpose in this article?

• Third-person allows the author to explore the ethical mistakes of a psychologist.

• Third-person allows the author to describe an influential psychological experiment.

• First-person allows the author to highlight his views on the proper and improper methods of psychological experiments.

• First-person allows the author to encourage readers to be careful of conforming to social roles.

What was the conclusion at the end of the experiment?

• The inmates dared them to act brutal

• The prisoners’ disrespect caused the brutality

• The guards were brutal to the inmates because of the crimes they committed

• The guards’ brutality was due to their situation