Even the lead researcher, Philip Zimbardo, admits he became submerged in his role as the „prison

Our Dark Hearts: The Stanford Prison Experiment

superintendent‟. In fact, Zimbardo believes the most powerful result of his experiment was his own
source: transformation into a rigid institutional figure, more concerned with his prison‟s security than the
http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/09/our-dark-hearts-stanford-prison.php welfare of his participants.
http://psychology.about.com/od/classicpsychologystudies/a/stanford-prison-experiment.htm
Other members of the experimental team became engrossed in their new role. Craig Haney, like
“The vilest deeds like poison weeds bloom well in prison air” – Oscar Wilde. Zimbardo, explained he became completely engaged in the day-to-day crises they were facing in
running the „prison‟ and forgot about the aim of their experiment.
The best psychological experiments ask timeless questions about human nature, like what makes a
person evil? Can a good person commit evil acts? If so, what can make people cross the line? Is there Playing the roles
some set-point which when crossed unleashes the evil? Or is it something about the situations in which
people are placed that determines our behaviour? It was only when one of his colleagues intervened that the experiment was finally stopped. In total it
only lasted six of the planned 14 days. Young men previously found to be pacifists were, in their roles
This nomination for the best social psychology research – the famous „Stanford Prison Experiment‟ – as guards, humiliating and physically assaulting the „prisoners‟ – some even reported enjoying it. The
argues a strong case for the power of the situation (Zimbardo, 1971). Not only that but the experiment „prisoners‟, meanwhile, quickly began to show classic signs of emotional breakdown. Five had to leave
has also inspired a novel, two films, countless TV programs, re-enactments and even a band. More on the „prison‟ even before the experiment was prematurely terminated.
that later, first the experiment.
The psychological explanation for the participants' behaviour was that they were taking on the social
Prisoners and guards roles assigned to them. This included adopting the implicit social norms associated with those roles:
guards should be authoritarian and abuse prisoners while prisoners should become servile and take their
The idea was simple: to see how ordinary men, chosen to be the most healthy and „normal‟ would punishment.
respond to a radical change to their normal roles in life. Half were to become prison guards, the other
half their prisoners. In this experiment there were no half-measures, for it to be effective it had to Rikers Island
closely approximate the real experience of prisoners and guards. These participants were in for the ride
of their lives. Does this experiment mirror what occurs in real prisons? Probably. Writing in Inside Rikers: Stories
from the World’s Largest Penal Colony, Jennifer Wynn interviews prison guards from New York
„Prisoners‟ were „arrested‟ by a police car with sirens wailing while they were out going about their City‟s largest penal colony, Rikers Island. One captain explained that guards easily become used to the
everyday business. Then they were fingerprinted, blindfolded and put in a cell, then stripped naked, level of violence inflicted on inmates – it‟s part of the job and they soon become immune. Some can‟t
searched, deloused, given a uniform, a number and had a chain placed around one foot. understand how they become different people at work.
The other participants were made into guards who wore uniforms and were given clubs. A prison was Levels of violence against prisoners were so bad in one unit, called the „Central Punitive Segregation
mocked up in the basement of a Stanford University building. Unit‟, that almost a dozen guards were officially charged with assaulting inmates in 1995. Eventually
the inmates won $1.6 million dollars in compensation. This is just one example.
And so the experiment began.

Rebellion crushed What Do the Results of the Stanford Prison Experiment Mean?

All was quiet until the second day when the „prisoners‟ rebelled against their incarceration. The guard‟s According to Zimbardo and his colleagues, the Stanford Prison Experiment demonstrates the powerful
retaliation was swift and brutal. Guards stripped the prisoners naked, removed the beds from the prison, role that the situation can play in human behaviour. Because the guards were placed in a position of
placed the rebellion‟s ringleader in solitary confinement and began harassing all the „prisoners‟. power, they began to behave in ways they would not usually act in their everyday lives or other
situations. The prisoners, placed in a situation where they had no real control, became passive and
Soon the „prisoners‟ began behaving with blind obedience towards the prison guards. After only a few depressed.
day‟s realistic role-playing participants reported it felt as though their old identities had been erased.
They had become their numbers. So too had the „guards‟ taken on their roles – taunting and abusing
their prisoners.
Criticisms of the Stanford Prison Experiment The study is now so well-known it has crossed over into popular culture. It has inspired a novel, Das
Experiment by Mario Giordano, which was later filmed, and in 2015, the experiment became the topic
The Stanford Prison Experiment is frequently cited as an example of unethical research. The of a feature film titled The Stanford Prison Experiment that dramatized the events of the 1971 study. It
experiment could not be replicated by researchers today because it fails to meet the standards has also been covered or recreated in countless TV shows, most notably on the BBC.
established by numerous ethical codes, including the Ethics Code of the American Psychological
Association. Zimbardo acknowledges the ethical problems with the study, suggesting that "although we Not only this, but the experiment has even inspired the name of a band. „Stanford Prison Experiment‟
ended the study a week earlier than planned, we did not end it soon enough." released their first eponymously titled album in 1994, following up a year later with „The Gato Hunch‟.
What other psychology study can say it‟s got a band named after it?
Other critics suggest that the study lacks generalizability due to a variety of factors.
The unrepresentative sample of participants (mostly white and middle-class males) makes it difficult to
apply the results to a wider population.
Philip Zimbardo Biography
The study is also criticized for its lack of ecological validity. While the researchers did their best to
recreate a prison setting, it is simply not possible to perfectly mimic all of the environmental and Philip Zimbardo is best known for:
situational variables of prison life.
 The Stanford Prison Experiment
Despite some of the criticism, the Stanford Prison Experiment remains an important study in our  Research on shyness
understanding of how the situation can influence human behaviour. The study recently garnered
attention after reports of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuses in Iraq became known. Many people,  Several introductory textbooks used in university psychology courses
including Zimbardo himself, suggest that the abuses at Abu Ghraib might be real-world examples of the  The Discovering Psychology video series, often used in high school and college
same results observed in Zimbardo's experiment. psychology courses
 Research on the psychology of heroism

The Stanford Prison Experiment: 40 Years Later

 Early Life:
In 2011, the Stanford Alumni Magazine featured a fascinating retrospective of the famous Stanford
Prison Experiment in honor of the experiment‟s 40th anniversary. The article contained interviews with Philip Zimbardo was born on March 23, 1933 in New York City. He attended Brooklyn College where
several people involved in the experiment, including Zimbardo and other researchers as well as some of he earned a B.A in 1954, triple majoring in psychology, sociology and anthropology. He then went on
the participants in the study. to earn his M.A. in 1955 and his Ph.D. in 1959 from Yale University, both in psychology.
He taught briefly at Yale before becoming a psychology professor at New York University, where he
Richard Yacco was one of the prisoners in the experiment and now works as a public school teacher. taught until 1967. After a year of teaching at Columbia University, he became a faculty member at
He offered some interesting insights into his experience: Stanford University in 1968 and has remained there since.
"One thing that I thought was interesting about the experiment was whether, if you believe society has
assigned you a role, do you then assume the characteristics of that role? I teach at an inner city high Career:
school in Oakland. These kids don't have to go through experiments to witness horrible things. But
what frustrates my colleagues and me is that we are creating great opportunities for these kids, we offer Philip Zimbardo is perhaps best known for the Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted in the basement
great support for them, why are they not taking advantage of it? Why are they dropping out of school? of the Stanford University psychology department in 1971. The participants in the study were 24 male
Why are they coming to school unprepared? I think a big reason is what the prison study shows – they college students who were randomly assigned to act either as "guards" or "prisoners" in the mock
fall into the role their society has made for them. prison.
The study was initially slated to last two weeks, but had to be terminated after just six days because of
Participating in the Stanford Prison Experiment is something I can use and share with students. This the extreme reactions and behaviour of the participants. The guards began displaying cruel and sadistic
was one week of my life when I was a teenager and yet here it is, 40 years later, and it's still something behaviour toward the prisoners, while the prisoners became depressed and hopeless.
that had enough of an impact on society that people are still interested in it. You never know what
you're going to get involved in that will turn out to be a defining moment in your life." Since the famous prison experiment, Zimbardo has continued to conduct research on a variety of topics
including shyness, cult behaviour and heroism.
He has authored and co-authored numerous books, including some that are widely used in university 9. How did work in Rikers Island change the guards' behaviour?
level psychology courses. Some people may recognize him as the host of the Discovering a) After some time they made friends with the inmates.
Psychology video series, which has aired on PBS and is often used in high school and college b) After some time they started to abuse each other.
psychology classes. c) After some time they become immune to the inmates' suffering.
In 2002, Zimbardo was elected president of the American Psychological Association. After more than 10. Who won compensation?
50 years of teaching, Zimbardo retired from Stanford in 2003 but gave his last "Exploring Human a) the guards of Rikers Island
Nature" lecture on March 7, 2007. b) Rikers Island inmates
c) the author of a book about Rikers Island
Today, he continues to work as the director of the organization he founded called the Heroic 11. Why was the Stanford experiment criticized?
Imagination Project. a) Because it was too expensive.
The organization promotes research, education and media initiatives designed to inspire ordinary b) Because it was illegal.
people to act as heroes and agents of social change. c) Because it was unethical.
12. Why did it lack ecological validity?
a) Because the participants produced a lot of waste.
Contributions to Psychology: b) Because it was not a real prison.
Philip Zimbardo‟s Stanford Prison Experiment remains an important study in our understanding of how c) Because it took place in a basement.
situational forces can influence human behaviour. The study became a topic of interest recently after 13. What was the aim of the study?
the reports of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuses in Iraq became public knowledge. Many people, a) To show that situations and social roles can change people's behaviour.
Zimbardo included, suggested that the abuses at Abu Ghraib might be real-world examples of the same b) To show that prison guards have sadistic personalities.
results observed in Zimbardo's experiment. c) To produce a film.
Zimbardo has also served as an influential figure in psychology through his writings as well as his long 14. Why does Richard Yacco worry about his students?
teaching career. a) Because they are frustrated with their lives.
b) Because they don't care about schoolwork.
c) Because they are horribly disobedient.
Exercise 1. Choose the correct answer. 15. Which genres of pop culture have been inspired by the Stanford Prison Experiment?
a) pop music and literature
1. What kind of people took part in the experiment as prisoners and guards?
b) painting and computer games
a) university workers b) convicted criminals c) ordinary people
c) soap opera and Disney cartoons
2. Who was given uniforms?
a) only the prisoners b) only the guards c) both
3. Who was given clubs? Exercise 2. Decide whether the statements are true or false. Mark the T. or ..F. box.
a) prisoners b) guards c) both 1. Professor Zimbardo studied at Stanford University. T. ..F..
4. Where did the experiment take place? 2. He graduated from college at the age of 19. T. ..F..
a) at Stanford Prison b) at Stanford University c) at Abu Ghraib 3. In 1966 Zimbardo was a teacher at New York University. T. ..F..
5. When did the prisoners rebel against the guards?
4. Shortly after the famous prison experiment Zimbardo became a faculty member at
a) a day after they were arrested b) on the day of their arrest c) never
Stanford University. T. ..F..
6. How did the guards address the prisoners?
a) by numbers b) by first names c) by surnames 5. He chose 24 students of both sexes for his experiment. T. ..F..
7. How long was the experiment planned to last? 6. Zimbardo appeared in a video series called Discovering Psychology. T. ..F..
a) a week b) two weeks c) six days 7. After giving his last lecture about exploring human nature he retired from Stanford.
8. When was the experiment terminated? T. ..F..
a) after less than a week b) after ten days c) after 14 days 8. He was a teacher at Stanford for over 50 years. T. ..F..
9. An experiment similar to Zimbardo's was carried out in Abu Ghraib in Iraq. T. ..F..
10. He co-authored a book called The Heroic Imagination Project. T. ..F..
Exercise 3. Discuss the following issues. Across
1. Happening for a short time;
1. What did the prison experiment teach us about human nature? 4. Consisting of many parts, things, people etc.;
2. Do you think experiments like this make sense? Should they be legal or forbidden for ethical 5. The plural of 'crisis';
reasons? 7. The work that scientists do;
3. Find out about other psychological experiments and compare Zimbardo's findings to other studies 8. Happening by chance, without planning;
into human nature. 9. Another word for 'influence';
Milgram's experiment: http://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html 10. Criminals work in gloves in order not to leave ......... ;
BBC Prison Study: http://www.bbcprisonstudy.org/ 12. A person taking part in an event;
14. The absence of something or not enough of something needed;
17. Type of behaviour in which one follows instructions and fulfils orders from an authority figure;
Exercise 4. Crossword. 18. To take off one's clothes;
19. A soldier wears a ......... ;
21. Another phrase for 'to degrade' someone is 'to ......... them';
22. Barack Obama was ......... president first in 2008;
24. Another word for 'immoral';
25. The head of a prison.

Down
1. The part of a building lying below ground level;
2. A "room" in prison;
3. To enter the examination room students must show their ......... cards;
6. The Stanford Prison Experiment lacked ecological ......... ;
11. Another word for imprisonment;
13. Anything that contributes to a result. Or in maths, in the operation 2x3=6, the word refers to
numbers 2 and 3;
15. To take action against authority or existing rules;
16. Another word for 'resistant';
20. A university department devoted to a particular branch of knowledge;
23. Morally bad or wrong.

VOCABULARY (words marked with * are to be prepared for the final exam)
1 *evil – zło, nikczemny, niegodziwy (o osobie)
2 *to commit evil acts – popełniać złe czyny
3 *research – badania naukowe
4 *researcher – badacz
5 *uniform – mundur / strój więzienny
6 *guard – strażnik
7 *club – tu: pałka
8 *participant – uczestnik
9 *to be fingerprinted – mieć pobrane odciski palców
10 *cell – cela więzienna 56 adopting the implicit social norms – postepowanie według domyślnych norm
11 *identity – tożsamość społecznych
12 *blind obedience – ślepe posłuszeństwo 57 servile – uległy
13 *security – bezpieczeństwo 58 penal colony – kolonia karna
14 *emotional breakdown – załamanie emocjonalne 59 violence inflicted on inmates – przemoc wobec więźniów
15 *human behaviour – ludzkie zachowanie 60 immune – odporny
16 *to abuse – maltretować, znęcać się 61 punitive – karny (o sankcjach)
17 *abusive behaviour – niewłaściwe, grubiańskie zachowanie 62 he was charged with … – postawiono mu zarzut …
18 *superintendent – tu: dyrektor więzienia 63 compensation – odszkodowanie
19 *influence – wpływ / mieć wpływ na 64 to replicate – powtórzyć
20 *unethical – nieetyczny 65 to meet established standards – spełniać określone standardy
21 timeless – ponadczasowy 66 numerous – liczny
22 set-point – określony punkt 67 ethical code – kodeks etyczny
23 to unleash evil – wyzwalać zło 68 to acknowledge – potwierdzać, uznawać prawdziwość
24 to argue a strong case – stanowić mocny argument 69 the study lacks generalizability due to a variety of factors –badania nie prowadzi do wniosków
25 for the power of the situation – ze względu na wagę sytuacji ogólnych z powodu wielu czynników
26 re-enactment – rekonstrukcja (teatralna, filmowa) 70 unrepresentative sample – niereprezentatywna próba
27 ordinary men – zwykli ludzie 71 to apply the results – zastosować wyniki
28 half-measure – półśrodek 72 lack – brak
29 to approximate sth – być zbliżonym do czegoś 73 ecological validity – trafność ekologiczna (taka cecha wyników pomiaru, badania,
30 they were in for sth – mieli doświadczyć czegoś eksperymentu, że można je odnieść do rzeczywistości, która nas otacza.)
31 sirens wailing – wyjące syreny (policyjne) 74 recreate a prison setting – odtworzyć warunki więzienne
32 blindfolded – z zawiązanymi oczyma 75 variable – zmienna
33 to strip sb naked – rozebrać kogoś do naga 76 to garner attention – pryciągnąć uwagę
34 to search sb – zrewidować kogoś 77 in honor of the 40th anniversary – dla uczczenia 40 rocznicy
35 to delouse - odwszawić 78 insight - spostrzeżenie
36 mocked up prison – upozorowane więzienie 79 inner city – uboga część śródmieścia
37 basement – piwnica 80 taking advantage of sth – wykorzystac coś
38 to rebel against their incarceration – zbuntować się przeciw uwięzieniu 81 to drop out of school – nie ukończyć szkoły
39 retaliation – odwet 82 impact – wpływ
40 swift – szybki 83 feature film – film fabularny
41 ringleader – prowodyr, przywódca 84 shyness – nieśmiałość
42 solitary confinement – izolatka więzienna 85 he earned a B.A / M.A. / Ph.D. – uzyskał stopień licencjata, / magistra / doktora
43 to harass sb – dręczyć kogoś 86 triple majoring – kończąc trzy kierunki
44 their identities had been erased – tożsamości zostały im odebrane (wymazane) 87 briefly – przez krótki czas
45 to taunt sb – dokuczać komuś 88 faculty – wydział uniwersytetu
46 submerged in his role – pochłonięty swoją rolą 89 faculty member – nauczyciel akademicki
47 welfare – dobro (czyjeś) 90 randomly assigned – wyznaczeni na chybił trafił
48 to be engrossed in sth – być zaabsorbowanym czymś 91 to be slated to last two weeks – być zaplanowanym by trwać dwa tygodnie
49 crises – kryzysy (1 crisis – 2 or more crises) 92 to conduct research – prowadzić badania naukowe
50 running the „prison‟ – zarządzanie więzieniem 93 authored and co-authored … – był autorem I współautorem …
51 to humiliate sb – poniżać kogoś 94 host – gospodarz programu, prowadzący program TV
52 to physically assault sb – dokonywać napaści fizycznej na kogoś 95 PBS (Public Broadcasting Service – Publiczna Usługa Nadawcza /w USA)
53 meanwhile – tymczasem 96 was elected president – został wybrany na prezydenta
54 prematurely terminated – przedwczewśnie zakończony 97 contribution to psychology – zasługi (wkład) dla psychologii
55 social roles assigned to them – przypisane im role społeczne