OCR A-Level Psychology H567
Research Methods and Techniques
Planning and Conducting Research
Data Recording, Analysis and Presentation
Report Writing and Scientific Communication
Practical Activities and the Nature of Science
Mathematical Requirements for Research Methods
Studying and Evaluating the Core Studies: The Common Framework
Core Studies: Social Area
Core Studies: Cognitive Area
Core Studies: Developmental Area
Core Studies: Biological Area
Core Studies: Individual Differences Area
Areas and Perspectives in Psychology
Debates in Psychology
Practical Applications of Psychology
Issues in Mental Health
Child PsychologyApplied option
Criminal PsychologyApplied option
Environmental PsychologyApplied option
Sport and Exercise PsychologyApplied option
Methodological Issues and Debates Running Through Applied Psychology
Criminal Psychology
Haney et al. (1973) simulated prison study: results, conclusions and evaluation
- 3 things to know
- Component 03
Overview
Recall questions on the guards' worsening behaviour, the prisoners' psychological reactions, why the study was stopped, Haney et al.'s conclusion, and the evaluation of method, findings, Zimbardo's dual role, ethics and relevance to imprisonment.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Describe how the prisoners reacted psychologically.
State the conclusion Haney et al. drew.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Why did the guards' behaviour worsen at night?
Model answer
They believed the researchers were not watching, so the restraint imposed by observation was removed and their treatment of the prisoners became more abusive.
- 2
Describe how the prisoners reacted psychologically.
Model answer
Five had to be released early with extreme depression, crying, rage or acute anxiety, one developed a psychosomatic rash, and the rest became passive and obedient, talking almost entirely about prison matters.
- 3
When and why was the study stopped?
Model answer
It was ended after six days rather than the planned two weeks, because the prisoners were suffering real distress and the guards' cruelty was escalating.
- 4
State the conclusion Haney et al. drew.
Model answer
Ordinary, healthy people conform rapidly to the social roles they are given, so the pathology found in prisons is produced by the prison situation rather than by the character of those inside it.
- 5
Give one strength of Haney et al.'s method.
Model answer
Participants were carefully screened and randomly allocated to roles, and behaviour was recorded on video as well as observed, giving rich and well-controlled data.
- 6
Give one methodological criticism of the findings.
Model answer
Participants may have been play-acting to a stereotype of guards and prisoners drawn from films rather than genuinely conforming, and demand characteristics were strong.
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