The Stanford Experiment Zimbardo

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The Stanford experiment was a powerful documentary conducted by taking random people and putting into 2 categories as guard or prisoner that simulated prison life. This concoction of guards and prisoners were studies to see what personalities and demeanor each person would play in this experiment. Each category would provide information about aggressive and nonaggressive behavior between 10 prisoners and guards. Prisoners were treated no different than any other criminal. Subjects were being arrested at their own homes, without warning. They were taken to the local police station where they were fingerprinted and booked into custody. Then they were blindfolded and driven to the psychology department of Stanford University. Zimbardo had had…show more content…
All of them were not know by a name but only by a number on their uniform. Prisoners had to wear a chain around one ankle as part of this experiment. When the prisoners arrived at the prison they were stripped naked, deloused, had all their personal possessions removed and locked away, and were given prison clothes and bedding. They were issued a uniform, and referred to by their number only. Their clothes comprised a smock with their number written on it, but no underclothes. They also had a tight nylon cap, and a chain around one ankle. This experiment lasted for 2 weeks but only lasted 6 days because of the brutality of the experiment. One prisoner had to be released after 36 hours because of uncontrollable bursts of screaming, crying and anger. His thinking became disorganized and he appeared to be entering the early stages of a deep depression. After 3 days 3 others had to leave after showing signs of emotional disorder. These people were not used to such a sudden and extreme change in their environment. This could have had lasting consequences. These people had been evaluated and had been deemed as stable and normal a short while before the experiment
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