Prison Experiment1

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In 1971, psychologists created one of the most important experiment in the history of psychology.

The experiment known as the Stanford Prison Experiment, looked at the impact of situations on human behavior.

The researchers, led by Philip Zimbardo, wanted to know how situations could affect how people behave.

In particular, they want to know if good people will change their personalities and lose their values.

In the experiments, participants were divided into two different groups.

One group became prison guards, and the other group became prison inmates.

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The experiment was set up in Stanford University Psychology building.

A group of 24 students was chosen to play to roles, 12 guards, and 12 prisoners.

The students came from a large group of volunteers who wanted to participate in the psychology experiment.

Those who were chosen had no criminal background and had no significant medical or psychological problems.

They agreed to participate in the experiment for a one to two-week period.

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What kind of students were not selected to participate?...those with a criminal background.

听 复述

One group became prison guards, and the other became prison inmates.

It was one of most important experiments in the history of psychology.

The experiment was scheduled to last one or two weeks.

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The prisoners had to remain in prison 24 hours a day during the experiment.

Guards worked in team of 3 and  were assigned to work in eight-hour shifts.

Unlike the prisoners, they were free to return to their homes between shifts.

Hidden cameras and microphones were used to observe the behaviors of both prisoners and guards.

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How often could the prisoners return home?...They had to stay in prison for the duration of the experiment.

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The simulated prison included three small prison cells, 6 feet by 9 feet.

There was also a closet that served as a solitary(单独的) confinement(禁闭室) room.

This was used to isolate prisoners who needed to be punished for bad behavior.

Prisoners were to be addressed by their signed numbers and never by names.

To prevent eye contact with the prisoners, guards wore mirrored sunglasses.

This was done to dehumanize (丧失人性)the relationship between guards and the prisoners.

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Why did the guards ware mirrored sunglasses?

....To prevent eye contact with the prisoners.

To isolate someone means... to keep them apart from others.

Guards were instructed(指示 命令) not to physically harm the prisoners in any way.

听 复述

The guards were assigned to work in 8-hour shifts.

The prisoners had to remain in prison for the duration of the experiment. 

To isolate some means to keep them apart from others.