The Stanford Prison Experiment

In 1971 there was a local newspaper ad calling for volunteers in a study of the psychological effects of prison life. A simulated prison environment was set up to carefully note the effects of this institution on the behaviour of all those within its walls.

The volunteers were randomly split between prisoners and guards. The guards were given no specific training on how to be guards. Instead they were free, within limits, to do whatever they thought was necessary to maintain law and order in the prison and to command the respect of the prisoners. The guards made up their own set of rules, which they then carried into effect. 

The guards wore mirror sunglasses which prevented anyone from seeing their eyes or reading their emotions, and thus helped to further promote their anonymity. The experiment was studying not only the prisoners but also the guards, who found themselves in a new power-laden role.

The prisoners decided to rebel against the guards - the guards met and decided to treat force with force.

This experiment shows the effect a position of power has on peoples morals and judgement and suggests how this translate into the real world where conditions are the same.

The Stanford Prison Experiment (Film)

A film was released in January which I plan to watch to give me further insight into the experiment and how the guards and prisoners acted.

The Stanford Prison Experiment (BBC Documentary)