In 1971, The Controversial Stanford Prison Experiment Ended After Just Six Days Because The Mock Guards Became Increasingly Abusive, And The Prisoners Suffered Extreme Emotional Distress

Caltili - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only
Caltili - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only

One of the most well-known and controversial studies in the history of psychology is the Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted in 1971 by psychologist Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues at Stanford University.

The experiment aimed to determine the impacts of being a prisoner or prison guard. They wanted to investigate the psychological effects of perceived power in a simulated prison environment.

To carry out the experiment, the researchers organized a mock prison in the basement of the university’s psychology building.

Then, they picked 24 people out of a group of 70 volunteers to play the roles of prisoners and prison guards. The participants were physically healthy, had no psychological issues, and had no criminal background.

The mock prison contained three cells that were each six by nine feet. Three prisoners were placed in each cell and were provided with three cots. There was also a small space that acted as the solitary confinement room, another room that served as the prison yard, and other rooms across from the cells for the warden and guards.

Prisoners had to stay in the prison for 24 hours a day. The guards worked eight-hour shifts in teams of three. They were allowed to return home after each shift. The researchers watched the events unfold using hidden cameras and microphones.

Originally, the experiment was supposed to last 14 days. However, it was stopped after six days because of the shocking deterioration of the study’s participants. The guards became increasingly abusive as the days passed, and the prisoners started showing signs of extreme emotional distress.

During the experiment, the prisoners and guards could interact in any way they wanted, but their exchanges were always hostile. Overall, the prisoners experienced stress and anxiety. Five of the prisoners had to be released from the study early due to the severe negative emotions they were experiencing, such as crying and acute anxiety.

Even the researchers behaved in surprising ways. Zimbardo was the prison warden, and he overlooked the cruel behavior of the guards until a student finally raised ethical concerns about the conditions in the mock prison.

Caltili – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only

The concept of deindividuation is a possible explanation for the results of the experiment. Deindividuation states that being part of a large group makes people more likely to engage in behaviors they wouldn’t normally do on their own.

Because the guards were placed in a position of power and authority, they began to behave in ways that differed from their behavior in everyday life. The prisoners had no control over their situation, so they became depressed and submissive.

The Stanford Prison Experiment has received a lot of criticism over the years. For one, it is an example of unethical research because participants were not fully informed and were subjected to abuse. The experiment did not meet the standards of numerous ethical codes.

Furthermore, the participants in the study lacked diversity. They were mostly white, middle-class males, which does not represent the wider population.

Additionally, it is impossible for researchers to create an accurate replica of a prison setting. So, those factors may have affected the results.

Although the validity of the Stanford Prison Experiment is questionable, it demonstrated how situational dynamics and societal roles can influence human behavior.

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Emily  Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a ... More about Emily Chan

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