The difference in behavior between the sadistic "guards" and the dehumanized "prisoners" in the Zimbardo prison study is best attributed to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The behavior of the participants in the Zimbardo prison study was primarily driven by the roles they were assigned to play. The guards were expected to assert their authority and maintain order, while the prisoners were expected to follow orders and submit to authority. These roles led to a shift in their behavior, even though prior screening did not reveal any significant psychological differences between them. Therefore, the best explanation for the difference in behavior is the roles they were asked to play.

The Difference in Behavior Between the Sadistic "Guards" and the Dehumanized