The Stanford Prison Experiment

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Social Psychology Essay #2: Stanford Prison Experiment In 1971, Philip Zimbardo organized an unusual experiment based upon the Social Interactionist Theory involving twenty-four volunteering participants. He believed that everyone was susceptible to being controlled by the power of a situation and he wanted to prove it, thus, the Stanford Prison Experiment took place. It was a study of the behavioral and psychological outcomes of becoming a prisoner or a prison guard. The guards were not allowed to physically harm the prisoners but were allowed to encourage feelings of boredom, frustration, and the feeling that their lives were being 100% controlled by the guards and the system. Prisoners lived with no privacy at all and were under constant…show more content…
This experiment became so real that the prisoners felt trapped and neglected. According to Maher, (2015): “Zimbardo intended to explore how prisoners adapt to powerlessness, but he has contended that the experiment demonstrates how swiftly arbitrary assignment of power can lead to abuse (408).” Those guards took advantage of their place of power as soon as they were given that uniform. Although, the participants complained and pleaded to be let go, Zimbardo held the prisoners’ against their will, forcing them to continue to participate in the experiment even though they had reached their breaking point. The guards and Zimbardo lost themselves partaking in this experiment, not just the…show more content…
According to Hong K. Joon, 2012: “In The Lucifer Effect, Philip Zimbardo stated in the outset that his intent is to “understand the nature of their character transformations when they are faced with powerful situational forces (55).” Zimbardo proved the Symbolic Interactionist Theory to be correct. He proved that people’s interactions with each other affect the way they think, their behavior, and their lives. When people put on a uniform they can use that uniform as a disguise from acknowledging their true self and avoid taking accountability for their actions. The participants who were vulnerable to the power of social forces will always remember their actions and what they went through during The Stanford Prison
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