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Hello! Today we’re going to talk about the Stanford Prison Zimbardo Experiment. Thanks to him, scientists were able to explore the nature of human cruelty, his aggressiveness, depending on the assigned social role in conditions of limited freedom. But due to unforeseen circumstances that threatened the lives of the subjects, instead of the planned 2 weeks, they had to limit themselves to 6 days. Then stop bullying the so-called prisoners. And to this day it is the most inhumane experiment in the history of social psychology.
prehistory
The idea came from the eminent psychology professor Phillip Zimbardo. He was wondering if a person who is quite good-natured and calm can show cruelty towards others if he gains power? Will the one who experiences torment and suffering remain humane, will he save his “face”? And in 1971, he decided to check it out with the support of several colleagues. They advertised in the newspaper inviting psychology students to participate in social research. Undertaking to pay 15 dollars for each day.
More than 70 people responded. But it was important for the experimenters to select mentally healthy, emotionally stable men without the presence of alcohol or drug addiction. Therefore, each of the applicants was tested and interviewed by scientists. As a result, 24 people remained. Having signed agreements for this experiment, they were divided into two groups, the guards, and, accordingly, the prisoners themselves by drawing lots, the usual toss of a coin. There were 9 people in each group, while the rest were at home as replacements, if someone suddenly could not stand it and refused.
Setting and atmosphere
Since Philip worked at Stanford University, he decided to organize prison conditions right there in the basement. To create the effect of the reality of what is happening, doors with steel fittings were installed. Each had a number, just like the prisoner who had lost his name. Since he was obliged to respond only to the code issued upon «admission». In this prison there was a corridor, which was called the «Courtyard». It was designed for eating, walking, playing sports. At one end there was a small hole in the wall, behind which video cameras were placed to constantly monitor what was happening. The scientists could also hear everything, and make announcements over the speakerphone. And on the other was a small closet for punishment, called «Pit». Only one person could fit in it, and then standing.
Psychological pressure was also exerted by the fact of the absence of clocks and windows. This greatly disorientated in sensation and space. Why did the subjects get into the role much faster, forgetting that this is just a “game”. The cells themselves were so narrow that only beds were placed in them.
To understand how to influence the psyche in conditions of restriction of freedom, independent consultants were invited. Among them was a man who had served 17 years earlier and knew the whole «kitchen» from the inside. It was he who gave recommendations regarding methods that cause humiliation, fear and suffering.
Home
Sunday morning for all involved began with the howl of sirens. Patrolmen arrested suspects, accusing them of armed robbery and burglary. They, as expected, were read out the rights and searched at the scene. After that, handcuffed and put into the back seat of a police car, the men were taken to the so-called «Yard». Where, having taken fingerprints, stripped naked and disinfected, the unfortunate were dressed in prison uniforms and placed in solitary confinement. To enhance the effect, to cause stress and speed up the process of emotional suppression, everyone was dressed in calico robes, reminiscent of a dress. Given that underwear was forbidden, the students felt uncomfortable, and over time, they began to resemble women in behavior. Since they had to sit or walk carefully so that this robe would not accidentally ride up and expose their dignity.
The participants were oppressed by a huge heavy chain on the leg with a lock. Since even during sleep it reminded of where they are. When turning over on the other side, she hit painfully on the other, free leg, which woke her up and caused a feeling of powerlessness regarding the circumstances.
Supervisors
The guards were much luckier. They were given khaki uniforms, whistles, clubs and mirrored glasses so that their eyes and, accordingly, their emotions could not be seen. They could treat the prisoners as they pleased. Humiliate, insult, punish and cause alarm, horror. The only restriction was not to cause physical harm, that is, not to beat. Influence only psychologically.
Having started the “work”, they immediately agreed on a number of rules that they announced to their victims. They said that the latter are obliged to obey, to memorize each point and retell it. Also, if they want to serve their sentence under lighter conditions, they must admit their guilt regarding the crimes.
David Jaff, the chief of security for the artificially created penitentiary, later said in an interview that he quickly entered the role and lost control of himself. He had no shame, no pity, no sympathy for the victims he bullied. On the contrary, the feeling of power gave strength, and the desire to harm even more.
At first, push-ups were used as punishments. It was later established that the Nazis did the same in the concentration camps of Auschwitz (Auschwitz). Men were also placed in the “Pit”, only for one hour, since it was difficult to stand more in a cramped closet while standing.
Chronicle of events
The first day
In order for the prisoners to quickly get used to and remember their numbers, they were awakened on the very first night with a whistle and had a roll call. And if at first it took about 10 minutes at the most, then later, to demonstrate their superiority, the guards stretched it up to 3 hours.
Zimbardo admitted that watching everyone during the first day, he was upset. Since he believed that his experiment would not succeed and would soon fail. The defendants sought to defend their independence, protect their rights, which is why they jeopardized the ideas they had conceived. But the guards got used to the role so well that they left no chance of capitulation, and with their punishments they were still able to subdue the will of the others.
Second day
The second day began with a riot. The perpetrators barricaded their cells, stripped their numbers from their clothes, and demanded a different way of addressing themselves. But this rebellion was quickly quelled. With the help of carbon dioxide released from fire extinguishers. The one who started the resistance action was sent to the Pit. And the rest were stripped naked, their things were taken away and their beds were put out in the corridor. Depriving him of food.
To prevent a subsequent rebellion attempt, the guards resorted to psychological manipulation. They created one room with improved conditions and placed three students there. They returned their clothes, allowed them to clean themselves up, and even allowed them to eat. Those who remained in normal conditions began to experience anger towards their fellow sufferers. Because they believed that these “lucky ones” were informing, or they were trying to please their tormentors, which is why they served their sentences much more comfortably than the others.
To increase the level of tension, the guards began to put everyone there in turn. Confused as to who the real traitor is. This cunning maneuver helped to achieve the expected results. Now no one trusted each other, respectively, the aggression was directed at the victims themselves, shifting the focus of attention from the tyrants. Which, in contrast to the rest, have become much closer to each other. The supervisory team rallied and was ready to continue in the same spirit. They came up with new tortures, for example, they introduced a ban on visiting the toilet, giving out ordinary buckets, without the right to pour the contents anywhere.
At the end of the second day, criminal No. 8612 lost control of his consciousness. He had an emotional breakdown. But Philip considered his tantrum to be a game, as an attempt to terminate the agreement and return to normal life. But when the prisoner’s condition worsened completely, he began to experience panic attacks and aggression, the scientists took pity and released him.
The third day
It’s time to meet family. The experimenters decided that relatives, seeing relatives in this state, would immediately take them home. And the experience ends prematurely. Therefore, they quickly put things in order, combed the prisoners, allowed them to eat, wash, shave. And they even turned on the music so that the atmosphere seemed not so terrible and tense.
To control the situation, the guards decided to make a little official, and introduced the rules. Parents of students had to register, and the dates themselves were supervised so that no one could say anything extra.
The operation, so to speak, was successful, at least there was no scandal. But another problem arose, the researchers learned that the criminals were planning an escape. It was as if student number 8612 had actually deceived everyone about his mental state. And he gathered friends, wanting to free fellow students. Just after the visitors left. Therefore, they decided to transfer the unfortunate subjects to the pantry on the fifth floor of the university, putting bags on their heads for disorientation in space. And Professor Zimbardo himself should be left in the same place as evidence that the experiment was completed and all participants left the room, returning to their usual lives.
But, to everyone’s surprise, there was no gang of invaders-liberators. Instead, a colleague of the professor appeared to satisfy his curiosity. And find out what results and discoveries have been achieved. And at that moment, Philip realized how much he was drawn into this prison commotion. So much so that he lost his position as an experimenter, psychologist, professor, in the end. He got angry at a colleague, his questions, which distracted him from such an important matter. Be the head of the prison.
Realizing that the escape plan turned out to be a dummy, the guards were furious. So many efforts to prevent it turned out to be pointless. Therefore, the students had to experience incredible humiliation and suffering that evening as a retribution. They washed the toilets with their bare hands, doing countless push-ups, jumping, squatting and goose-stepping. Several people could not stand it, the torture brought them to a nervous breakdown.
fourth day
In order to find out how real the situation and atmosphere turned out to be, the researchers invited a priest to the offenders for a conversation. He, in turn, made the appropriate conclusions regarding the inhuman treatment of them. And he suggested contacting relatives. So that they, in turn, hire a lawyer and protect the rights of loved ones. The clergyman talked to all the prisoners, except for the man at number 819. He felt so terrible that he had a tantrum. Zimbardo managed to bring him to his senses, reminding him that this is all a role-playing game and that what is happening to him is only part of the intended game.
Fifth day
On the fifth day, a commission on parole issues was organized. The head of this commission was a man who advised the researchers at the very beginning, sharing 17 years of experience that he had gained behind bars. An interesting fact is that it was he, who knew the “kitchen” so well from the inside and understood what torments the so-called criminals were subjected to, fiercely defended and demanded an extension of the term.
The guys were offered to give up the fee in exchange for freedom. They, of course, agreed. But, surprisingly, after the end of the hearing, they obediently went back to the cells. Although, in theory, the contract happened and they had every right to return home. This indicates how easily a person can lose touch with reality. A failure occurs in consciousness and the person simply does not understand what knowledge to rely on and what to trust. Her will is suppressed and then she believes that another person, more powerful, knows what he is doing. She questions her feelings and thoughts.
Sixth day
The study was decided to stop. In short, because the guards began to exceed their powers, tightening the methods of exercising power. They mocked the victims at night, for their own pleasure, believing that the video cameras were turned off at this time. Among other things, Philip’s girlfriend, also with a psychological education, intervened in the process. She managed to «bring to life» the chosen one a little, explaining that he played too much and lost his professional stability. What causes her fear, as he is completely different from the one with whom she spent so much time.
Therefore, the scientists had no choice but to declare the experiment prematurely ended. They had a conversation, both with the guards and with the prisoners, inquiring about their well-being and general impressions. Then they were connected into one group so that all participants heard the feedback. They also jointly tried to find alternative solutions to conflict situations that arose over 6 days.
Conclusions
As you can see, initially stable and strong personalities with knowledge about themselves and their character, resources and shortcomings turned into victims in just a few days. Not just scared, exhausted and confused. And with a number of psychological, and moments and psychiatric disorders. Surprisingly, almost every one of them ceased to perceive his name, but used the number that was originally issued. With the help of aggressive actions, it is easy to subject a person to his will and establish total control.
And just as quickly, the guards themselves forgot about their leading personality traits, such as kindness, sensitivity and responsiveness, turning into fierce punishers.
Read also about Milgram’s inhuman experiment. We are sure that it will amaze you no less than this.
Completion
And that’s all for today, dear readers! I would like to recommend that you read the article about mobbing. That is, group persecution and attempts to subdue their power. The information indicated in it will help you protect yourself and defend your rights, boundaries in communication with others.
The material was prepared by a psychologist, Gestalt therapist, Zhuravina Alina.