The Stanford Prison Experiment

BBC documentary looking back on the infamous Stanford prison experiment, which studied morality and authority under dubious conditions

Tags Experiment Psychology Science Sociology Stanford prison experiment Totalitarianism

The Stanford prison experiment was a study of the psychological effects of becoming a prisoner or prison guard, and was conducted in 1971 at Stanford University. The undergraduates selected to become guards and prisoners in the mock prison coped differently, but the experiment had to be called off after only six days due to the ever increasing cruelty of some of the 'guards.' Ethically and scientifically the Stanford prison experiment remains controversial to this day.

BBC's The Stanford Prison Experiment summarizes the nature and events of the experiment well. The documentary mixes original video tape from the mock prison with narration and up to date interviews with some of the participants.

• Official web site of the Stanford prison experiment

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