More Fiction Than Science

This chapter presents a few more critics of the protocol: it varied constantly; it did not test separate variables; it was impossible to isolate independent variables; there was no conceptual distinction between “indifference” and “resignation,” or “obedience” and “conformism”; it showed a lack of preparation; the researchers had difficulties to take a step back and think about what was happening. The archival materials also reveal that collection of data was incomplete and its processing was biased. The Stanford Prison Experiment is put into the context of the Stanford psychology department from the 1950s. The chapter finally shows that Zimbardo did a lot to spread the Stanford Prison Experiment in the media and that he became “prisoner” of the official version spread by the media.