Stanford Prison Experiment Notes

Overview of the Stanford Prison Experiment

The Stanford Prison Experiment was conducted in 1971 to study the psychological effects associated with being a prisoner or guard. It took place in the basement of the psychology department at Stanford University, where offices were converted into a simulated prison environment.

Background Information

  • Conducted in 1971 in Stanford's psychology department basement

  • Conversion of offices/storage rooms into prison cells

  • Role-playing involved college students from around the country

  • Intended duration: Two weeks, but stopped after six days due to unforeseen circumstances

Simulation Design

  • Simulated prison environment included:

    • Three cells

    • Guard's room

    • Warden's office

    • Superintendent's office

    • Alternatively used a closet for solitary confinement

  • Involvement of prison experts, notably Carlo Prescott, an ex-convict

  • Recruitment of healthy, normal males who were paid $15 per day for participation

  • Over 70 applicants; 24 selected after screenings for mental health and criminal history

  • Random assignment to roles of prisoner or guard using a coin flip

Responsibilities & Rules

  • Role of guards: They were given authority and instructed to create psychological conditions of control, fear, and humiliation

  • Guards were prohibited from physical violence but could employ psychological tactics, including:

    • Inducing feelings of helplessness

    • Creating a sense of arbitrary control over prisoners

  • Each guard trained to expect their authority to be asserted without physical confrontation

Event Sequence

Initial Phase

  • Prisoners transported in a simulated arrest, including being handcuffed and blindfolded

  • Removal of clothing, application of powder spray for delousing, and dress in prison uniform with assigned numbers

  • Symbolism of chained leg representing loss of freedom

Day 1 Observations

  • Count at 2:30 AM disrupted prisoners' sleep for monitoring

  • Guards struggled to assert authority; prisoners showed resistance to their roles

Day 2 Rebellion

  • Prisoners in Cell 1 barricaded themselves, removed uniforms, prompting escalation of guard tactics

  • Guards retaliated by stripping prisoners in other cells and issuing punishments, including solitary confinement (the hole)

  • Tactics shifted to psychological methods, such as inducing division among prisoners by establishing