What the Stanford Prison Experiment Really Aimed to Investigate- Unveiling the Human Behavior Dynamics in Captivity

What was the Stanford prison experiment studying? This groundbreaking psychological study, conducted in 1971, aimed to investigate the psychological effects of perceived power and authority on individuals. The experiment was designed by social psychologist Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues, with the intention of understanding how people would behave in a simulated prison environment. The study quickly escalated into a controversial and chilling portrayal of human nature and the potential for evil under the right circumstances. In this article, we will delve into the details of the Stanford prison experiment, its methodology, findings, and the lasting impact it has had on the field of psychology.