However, I must question your assumption that the guards in the study acted as they did because “Zimbardo told them to”. As Zimbardo points out in The Lucifer Effect (2007), prison guards are given little orientation upon appointment, and “act out” their perceived roles for a time. After this initial period they internalise the guard role and behave naturally rather than as they feel a guard “should” behave. This idea is supported by Thayer & Saarni as well as de Jong (both 1975). Remember, while he did allow guards space to “frustrate them [the prisoners]…to an extent”, Zimbardo did not suggest sexual degradation, endless push-ups, extensive solitary confinement, and spending time in the prison outside of their paid working hours. All of these factors reflect the power of the total situation which the prison environment created.

However, I do not disagree with the assertion that Zimbardo made many irresponsible decisions in the design and enactment of the SPE (as he admits to himself).

I also reccomend reading Zimbardo’s commntary on the BBC Prison Study, which offers an interesting discussion on the scientific method.

Thanks,

Iain.