What was the Stanford prison experiement?

The Stanford prison experiment was a study conducted at Stanford University in the 1970s by a team led by Philip Zimbardo. One of the most famous studies in the history of psychology, the study was designed to investigate the effects of a prison environment on the behavior and personality of ordinary people.

The study involved the creation of a simulated prison environment, with a group of volunteer male participants randomly assigned to roles of prisoners or guards. The "prisoners" were deprived of their freedoms and subjected to various forms of psychological abuse and humiliation, while guards were given extensive authority and control.

The results of the study were profoundly disturbing. Guards quickly became abusive and sadistic, while prisoners became submissive and compliant. Many participants experienced extreme psychological distress and emotional trauma, leading to the premature termination of the experiment after just six days.

The results of this experiment provided crucial insights into the effects of power dynamics and social roles on behavior. It also brought attention to the potential for abuse within institutional settings and the dangers associated with giving individuals too much authority over others.