Psychological Evaluation for Controlled Authority (The Stanford Prison Experiment)
So, recently I had saw a film based on an experiment conducted at the Stanford University in 1971. The study was initially launched to last 2 weeks but was cut within 6 days because of the psychological evaluation of many of the participants who volunteered being of unsound mind and damaged emotionally by the effects of the experiment.
24 students volunteered and were split in half into two controlled groups. One being the "guards" and the other being "prisoners." The "prisoners" were stripped of their belongings and given identical robes, caps, and chains wrapped around their ankles as a symbolic representation of their loss of freedom. The "guards" were also given identical officer attire, mirror shades, batons, and whistles as a representation of the authority they held over the "prisoners."
The experiment was held at the northern hall of the university during the summer break and was made into a makeshift confinement center simulating a prison. The only stipulation presented in the controlled climate was that no psychical abuse could be used to exercise control, both parties knowing this rule presented a large issue. Meaning that the "guards" had to continue pushing psychological torment as well as creative means of fear-tactics to keep the continuingly restless "prisoners" in line. Of course, causing many verbal fights, protests, and out-of-control antics.
My reason for posting what is essentially a basic course in many psychological studies and classes is I was wondering what responses many here may yield, their opinions on the study at large, and if it was an appropriate experiment considering the basis.
The conductor and one of the surveyors himself (Dr. Philip Zimbardo) still to this day teaches students about the effects of the experiment and how people running it clashed on the moral topic it posed.
Please discuss and share your thoughts.
Comments
You will probably be interested in the milgram experiment too
Now I know how the creators of Fallout came up with Vault-Tec.
SciShow just (a couple of days ago) posted a video discussing this and some other controversial studies.
I've heard of that one a while ago.
It measured how far the participant was willing to inflict pain on another, correct?