Where I talk to you about linguistics and anthropology, science fiction and fantasy, point of view, grammar geekiness, and all of the fascinating permutations thereof...
Fascinating article about the Stanford Prison Experiment
I heard about this experiment that got out of hand and ended early when I was studying in college - this article sums things up really well and gets back in touch with some of the participants years afterward. Chilling and fascinating.
Social studies people should not be allowed to place "scientist" at the end of their titles. What was described was the most slovenly sort of arrangement masquerading as a "scientific" study. In real prisons, the prisoners are usually there for a reason, and the guards usually have training. Fraternity hazing under color of authority.
Mike, I'm pleased at least that it ushered in a new era for human subjects protocols in social science (even though it was a pain to go through the process for my own research). I don't think they learned what they'd planned to, but they did learn a great deal, and made a difference for future researchers.
I've always found this study fascinating. It's interesting that the one guard admitted he went in fully planning to act the way he did. That runs contrary to some of the publicity surrounding the experiment that I've come across in the past.
Social studies people should not be allowed to place "scientist" at the end of their titles. What was described was the most slovenly sort of arrangement masquerading as a "scientific" study. In real prisons, the prisoners are usually there for a reason, and the guards usually have training. Fraternity hazing under color of authority.
ReplyDeleteMike, I'm pleased at least that it ushered in a new era for human subjects protocols in social science (even though it was a pain to go through the process for my own research). I don't think they learned what they'd planned to, but they did learn a great deal, and made a difference for future researchers.
ReplyDeleteI've always found this study fascinating. It's interesting that the one guard admitted he went in fully planning to act the way he did. That runs contrary to some of the publicity surrounding the experiment that I've come across in the past.
ReplyDeleteI strongly recommend to anyone interested unlearning more reading "The Lucifer Effect", it is a fascinating insight into human behaviour
ReplyDelete