The Stanford Experiment

The Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted in 1971 by psychologist Philip Zimbardo, explored how people respond to assigned roles of authority and submission. College students were assigned as either "guards" or "prisoners" in a mock prison setting. The experiment, originally planned for two weeks, was halted after just six days due to the intense psychological impacts on participants. Guards began to exhibit abusive behaviors, while prisoners showed extreme stress and helplessness. This research revealed how situational factors and perceived power can lead to ethical lapses and cruelty, raising important questions about human behavior and morality in controlled environments.