Zimbardo wanted to create a prison situation to observe the effects of becoming a prisoner or prison guards. He would select 24 male volunteers and would have them randomly selected to play guard or prisoner.
days 2 and 3
prisoner participants were arrested outside their houses. then they were blindfolded and transported to the university. They were not informed about this
day 5
the prisoner participants were then stripped down and dressed in nothing more than a gown. awaiting them were guard partcipants (winners of the coinflip) who had been instructed only not to physically harm inmates but not let them escape either.
day 6
on day 2, the prisoners rebelled and baricaded themselves in their cells. guards forced in and strip searched prisoners and put leaders into solitary confinement. those least involved were given washing privileges.Come day 3 guards began to escalate their brutality, refusing to let prisoners leave cells. One prisoner showed extreme signs of anxiety but wasnt allowed to leave until day 4
guards made prisoners clean toilets with their bare hands. at night they sexually humiliated prisoners.
the power of the guards was almost total and prisoners obeyed without question. visiting postgraduate and girlfriend of Zimbardo Christina Malsach objected strongly and convinced Zimbardo to call off the experiment. Otherwise he had plans to continue.