The Stanford University Prison Experiment

The Stanford University Prison Experiment was a psychological study in 1971 where college students volunteered to play roles of guards and prisoners in a simulated prison environment. The experiment aimed to examine how situational factors influence behavior. It was supposed to last two weeks but was terminated after six days due to escalating abusive behavior by guards and emotional distress among prisoners. The study revealed how ordinary people can commit unethical actions under authoritative settings, highlighting the powerful impact of situational roles on individual conduct. It raised important ethical questions about research practices and human behavior.