Abstract
This demonstration draws parallels between the Zimbardo prison experiment and the impact that assignment to low and high power roles can have on the behavior of men and women. College students rated men and women on dominant and subordinate traits, watched a video of Zimbardo's (Haney, Banks, & Zimbardo, 1973) prison study, then rated the prisoners and guards. This demonstration illustrates how psychologically healthy White men (typically perceived as dominants) will exhibit the same "personality characteristics" or gender role behaviors ascribed to women (typically perceived as subordinates) when placed in a subordinate role. Students reported that this demonstration gave them valuable insight into the impact of power differentials.