The Stanford Prison Experiment

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses a study on the psychological effects of being a prisoner as well as a prison guard that was conducted at Stanford University. The paper relates that although in theory the experiment of the Stanford Prison held much promise to find what the psychological effects of being a prison inmate and guard would be like, it severely failed at several levels. The paper explains that this was due to the independent variables as well as the inappropriate relationship of the main researcher participating in the actual experiment.

Outline:
Introduction
Independent Variable
Dependant Variable
Sampling
Reliability of Experiment
Validity of Experiment
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The independent variable for the Stanford Prison research study were the male college students that were chosen to participate in the study. Twenty-Four males out of seventy applicants comprised of local Stanford University students as well as other college students that were in the area were carefully screened and chosen to participate in the study.
"During the screening process for the experiment applicants that had a history of criminal behavior or criminal record as well as any mental illness or psychological disorder were immediately eliminated from participating in the study."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Campbell, Diane K. (2005). THE CONTEXT OF THE INFORMATION BEHAVIOR OF PRISON INMATES. Progressive Librarian,(26), 18. Retrieved June 18, 2008, from ProQuest Central database. (Document ID: 1025966761).
• Zimbardo, Philip G. (2008) The Stanford Prison Experiment. Retrieved June 18, 2008 from The Stanford Prison Experiment Web Site: http://www.prisonexp.org

More papers on The Stanford Prison Experiment:

• Analytical Essay # 72708 : "The Stanford Prison Experiment"
• Analytical Essay # 9078 : "The Perils of Obedience" and the "Stanford Prison Experiment"
• Term Paper # 108634 : "Zimbardo's "Stanford Prison Experiment"

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