The Stanford Prison Experiment Ends

KPIX-TV news footage from August 20th 1971 with Ben Williams featuring scenes from Stanford University's prison experiment, which was conducted between August 14-20th under the supervision of psychology professor Dr. Philip Zimbardo and funded by the U.S. Office of Naval Research. This was a social psychology experiment which attempted to investigate the effects of perceived power. From a pool of 60 subjects 11 college students were selected to assume the role of prison guards and 10 became the prisoners, being paid $15 per day. Zimbardo was the prison superintendent and tells Williams that: "Once you walk into that room, it's so realistic ... that everyone gets involved." He goes onto explain that they found the students acting as guards either followed the rules, became sympathetic towards prisoners and in fact 4 of the 11 guards became "totally dehumanizing." Orignally intended to last 2 weeks, the experiment was abandoned after only 6 days because most of the prisoners were experiencing psychological distress. Zimbardo claims that: "This prison has helped to destroy, for a brief period of time ... some of the best people that America has to offer." Includes views of prisoners laying in their cells, being led around with bags over their heads and forced to do push ups and sound off by guards. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.