BBC Prison Study

The BBC Prison Study was a social experiment conducted in 2002 to understand how people behave in authoritative environments. Volunteers took on roles as guards or prisoners in a simulated prison setting. Unlike earlier studies, it showed that positive behavior and cooperation could arise, especially when inmates challenged unfair authority. The study highlighted that people’s actions depend on social attitudes and group dynamics, not just assigned roles. It provided insights into how power, conformity, and resistance operate in hierarchical groups, emphasizing the importance of respect and fairness in authority systems.