Cognitive Scaffold

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MENTAL MODEL · M6314

Stanford Prison Experiment

Stanford Prison Experiment
BehaviorHigh supportSocial Psychology
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Roles (guard/prisoner) and environment (prison) can rapidly override individual personality, turning ordinary college students into sadists or pushovers. The power of the situation outweighs the power of personality.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

The toxicity of role-playing. Give someone a title of authority (e.g., 'moderator', 'disciplinary committee member'), and they will unconsciously abuse it. When granting power, prevent 'role fixation' from causing personality alienation through rotation or supervision.

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Anchor fast decisions

Zimbardo simulated a prison, randomly assigning guards and prisoners, and roles quickly distorted behavior, showing that situation and role are stronger than individual character. It is a classic of situationism (though also subject to methodological criticism).

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_prison_experimentZH · Explicit
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