Stanford Prison Experiment Conducted by Dr. Phillip Zimbardo and Stanford students

Overview Summer of 1971 Mock prison setting in the basement of a building on campus. Called in 24 volunteers who’s mental and physical health were tested before participating. Supposed to last two weeks…

After only 6 days… the experiment was shut down…

Procedure “Criminals” were picked up by police officers at their homes on the morning of the experiment. “The suspect was picked up at his home, charged, warned of his legal rights, spread-eagled against the police car, searched, and handcuffed -- often as surprised and curious neighbors looked on.”

Procedure Run like a real prison. “There were no windows or clocks to judge the passage of time, which later resulted in some time-distorting experiences.”

Procedure Prisoners wore a “smock” like garment with nothing underneath. These had the prisoners ID number printed on the front and back. They also wore a heavy chain around their right ankle, rubber sandals, and a nylon stocking on their head. What was the purpose of these garments?

Procedure Guards were given no specific instructions. They had guidelines, and were told to make and enforce their own rules that would maintain order in the prison. Guards often used pushups as a form of punishment.

The Rebellion Prisoners began to rebel on the second day. “The guards broke into each cell, stripped the prisoners naked, took the beds out, forced the ringleaders of the prisoner rebellion into solitary confinement, and generally began to harass and intimidate the prisoners.”

Rebellion Since they could only have 3 guards working at one time, they devised a new technique for keeping the prisoners under control. “Privileged Cell…uniforms back, beds back, and could wash and brush their teeth…also got to eat special food in the presence of the other prisoners who had temporarily lost the privilege of eating. The effect was to break the solidarity among prisoners.”

Rebellion Guards then switched around some of the privileged and unprivileged prisoners… what do you think happened then? -Divide and conquer- Labeling Theory Prisoner #5401

Rebellion The first prisoner to be released lasted 36 hours, he was suffering from “acute emotional disturbances”. Criticized for being weak. Told he couldn’t leave.

Rebellion Were allowed a visiting period the next day. Seemed to raise spirits. Some parents responded very negatively to the state their children were in. Became part of the experiment

The Escape Guard overheard of a plan to escape after visit hours that day. The prisoner they had let go the day before was coming back for revenge! “The plan was to dismantle our jail after the visitors left, call in more guards, chain the prisoners together, put bags over their heads, and transport them to a fifth floor storage room until after the anticipated break in.”

No escape… It was just a rumor, but it made the prison guards crack down even harder on the inmates. Brought in a Catholic priest to evaluate the prison setting. “The priest's visit further blurred the line between role-playing and reality.” One prisoner became ill, other prisoners were still treated the same.

End Prisoners were given “parole hearings”. “First, when we asked prisoners whether they would forfeit the money they had earned up to that time if we were to parole them, most said yes. Then, when we ended the hearings by telling prisoners to go back to their cells while we considered their requests, every prisoner obeyed, even though they could have obtained the same result by simply quitting the experiment.” The prisoners and guards had completely fallen into their roles. Was this an accurate depiction of jail life? If so, what does it say about our prison system?