What was the purpose of the Stanford Prison Experiment?

To study the impact of social situations on behavior.

How were participants selected for the Stanford Prison Experiment?

Chosen from the student body and randomly assigned roles.

Included cells, beds, and a solitary confinement area.

Through dehumanization and a sense of power.

A psychologist witnessing the brutality and ethical debates.

**Dehumanization and Power Dynamics:** The Stanford Prison Experiment showcased how dehumanizing tactics, such as guards wearing military uniforms and reflective sunglasses, can establish power dynamics that influence behavior in a simulated prison environment.
**Escalation of Control and Rebellion:** The experiment revealed a cycle of escalating control by guards, leading to prisoner rebellions and extreme distress among participants, ultimately highlighting the impact of oppressive environments on individuals' actions and mental well-being.

What was the purpose of the Stanford Prison Experiment?
To study the impact of social situations on behavior.
How were participants selected for the Stanford Prison Experiment?
Chosen from the student body and randomly assigned roles.
What were the conditions like in the simulated prison?
Included cells, beds, and a solitary confinement area.
How did the guards establish control over the prisoners?
Through dehumanization and a sense of power.
What led to the end of the Stanford Prison Experiment?
A psychologist witnessing the brutality and ethical debates.

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Stanford University in Northern California was the site of a notorious psychology experiment in 1971, exploring the impact of good people in an evil environment.
The experiment involved converting the university's basement into a prison, complete with cells, beds, and a solitary confinement area called "the Hole."
The guards in the experiment wore military uniforms and reflective sunglasses to dehumanize the prisoners and establish a sense of power.
Similar to Stanley Milgram's obedience experiment, this study aimed to understand how social situations can influence individuals' behavior.
Participants were selected from the student body, paid $15 a day, and randomly assigned roles as guards or prisoners.
The guards were instructed to maintain law and order without using physical violence, creating a sense of fear and control over the prisoners.
The experiment began with the guards humiliating and degrading the prisoners, leading to a rebellion by the prisoners.
The guards responded by escalating their control, including waking prisoners at night, making them do menial tasks, and disrupting their sleep schedules.
A prisoner, 8612, showed signs of severe distress and attempted to leave the experiment by acting crazy, leading to his release.
The experiment continued with further rebellions, including prisoner 819 barricading himself in his cell, ultimately resulting in his release and replacement by a new participant.

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Prisoner 46 is instructed to act like Frankenstein, with Prisoner 209 as the Bride of Frankenstein.
Prisoner 416 faces harassment from a guard nicknamed John Wayne due to his tough demeanor.
The guard draws inspiration from a movie character to create his role in the experiment.
Prisoner 416 decides to be intimidating and cruel to survive the oppressive environment.
The guard encourages other prisoners to vent their anger on Prisoner 416.
Prisoner 416 goes on a hunger strike to resist the authority and push the limits of the guards.
The experiment ends after a psychologist witnesses the brutality, leading to ethical debates and changes in guidelines.