Facts About The Stanford Prison Experiment

The Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by Philip Zimbardo in 1971, aimed to explore the power dynamics between guards and prisoners. Participants were randomly assigned roles in a mock prison, leading to rapid dehumanization and abuse. The experiment, intended to last two weeks, was terminated after six days due to extreme psychological distress among participants. The study's ethics and scientific validity have been widely criticized, with claims that it was more a demonstration than a rigorous experiment. Despite its controversy, the experiment remains a significant discussion point in psychology.

What conclusions did Zimbardo draw about human behavior from the experiment?

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

What was the reaction of Christina Maslack upon observing the experiment?

What ethical concerns arose from the Stanford prison experiment?