The Stanford Prison Experiment Was One of the Most Disturbing Studies Ever

Summary

In 1971, Professor Philip Zimbardo's Stanford prison experiment aimed to explore the dynamics between guards and inmates, questioning whether power corrupts or brutality is inherent in human nature. The study, funded by the US Office of Naval Research, quickly turned disturbing as 'guards' became abusive and 'prisoners' suffered severe psychological distress. The experiment, which was intended to last two weeks, was ended after only six days due to ethical concerns and the profound effects on participants, sparking ongoing debates about the nature of power and human behavior.

Takeaways

• 🕵️‍♂️ The Stanford prison experiment, conducted by Professor Philip Zimbardo in 1971, aimed to explore the dynamics between guards and inmates to understand if power corrupts or if brutality is inherent in human nature.
• 💡 Funded by the US Office of Naval Research, the experiment was designed to study the power hierarchies in military prisons and how they are influenced by environment versus individual personalities.
• 📢 Zimbardo recruited 24 male college students through an ad, selecting them after interviews and personality tests to ensure they had no criminal or psychological issues.
• 👥 Participants were randomly assigned to be either prisoners or guards, with 12 in each group, to eliminate selection bias.
• 👕 Guards were given uniforms, nightsticks, and whistles, while prisoners were stripped and dressed in dehumanizing attire to create a power differential.
• 🛑 The experiment quickly spiraled into abuse, with guards using harassment, sleep deprivation, and other psychological tactics to assert control over prisoners.
• 🚨 On the second day, a rebellion by prisoners led to aggressive retaliation by guards, including the use of fire extinguishers and solitary confinement.
• 🔄 Guards employed 'divide and conquer' tactics, creating a 'privilege cell' to reward compliance and increase tension among prisoners.
• 😢 The experiment's first casualty occurred after 36 hours when a prisoner suffered an emotional breakdown, highlighting the psychological impact of the roles.
• 🏥 Zimbardo himself became deeply immersed in his role as prison superintendent, reflecting on the power of the experiment to alter perceptions and behaviors.
• 🚨 The experiment was terminated prematurely after only six days due to the severe psychological distress it caused to participants, raising questions about ethical research practices.

Q & A

What was the primary objective of the Stanford prison experiment?

The primary objective was to determine whether the acquisition of power made guards turn brutal or if brutality was intrinsic to human nature.

Who funded the Stanford prison experiment and why?

The US Office of Naval Research funded the experiment because both the US Navy and Marine Corps were interested in learning about the hierarchies of power in military prisons.

How were participants selected for the experiment?

Participants were selected through an ad in the classifieds, and after interviews and personality tests, 24 male college students were chosen, eliminating those with criminal records, substance abuse, personality disorders, physical disabilities, or psychological problems.

How were the roles of prisoners and guards assigned in the experiment?

Roles were assigned randomly based on the results of a coin toss to avoid selection bias.

What was the physical setup of the mock prison in the experiment?

The mock prison was set up in the basement of Stanford's Jordan Hall, with cells, a solitary confinement cell, and other features designed with input from prison officials and ex-convicts.

What kind of authority and methods were the guards allowed to use to maintain order?

Guards were told to maintain order and were allowed to use any means necessary short of physical violence, including harassment, withholding of food, and deprivation of privileges.

What was the reaction of the prisoners to the guards' methods on the first night?

Some prisoners did not take the headcount seriously, leading to punishment by the guards in the form of push-ups.

How did the guards respond to the prisoners' rebellion on the second day?

The guards used fire extinguishers to force prisoners away from barricades, stripped them naked, and placed one into solitary confinement.

What strategies did the guards use to prevent further rebellions?

The guards used a 'divide and conquer' strategy by creating a 'privilege cell' for well-behaved prisoners and depriving others of privileges to sow seeds of distrust.

What was the first significant psychological impact observed on a prisoner?

After only 36 hours, prisoner Doug Korpi began suffering from acute emotional disturbance, disorganized thinking, uncontrollable crying, and rage.

How did Zimbardo's role as superintendent affect his perspective during the experiment?

Zimbardo internalized his role as superintendent over his role as a psychologist, which led him to think and act more like a prison superintendent rather than a researcher.

What was the role of Christina Maslack in the experiment, and how did she influence its conclusion?

Christina Maslack, a recent Ph.D. recipient, was brought in to interview prisoners and confronted Zimbardo about the suffering of the students, leading him to prematurely end the study.

What are some of the criticisms and controversies surrounding the Stanford prison experiment?

The experiment's scientific rigor has been questioned, and some argue that the results were influenced by Zimbardo's guidance of the guards. It has been called more of a demonstration than a scientific experiment.