Learning about the Stanford Prison Experiment was an eye-opening experience. Before this class, I hadn't heard of the study at all and reading and learning about it was really interesting. That being said, I think that the experiment was completely ethical. 70 men applied to be a part of the study but only 24 were chosen as the researchers wanted to make sure that all participants were of sound mind and body. The participants were compensated for their time and they weren't forced to participate in the study. Before the experiment began, all participants gave their informed consent to be involved in this study. All of the actions take by the guards against the prisoners actually happened in real life prisons. The experiment sought out to replicate a real life prison and I think it did just that.
When I was doing more outside reading on the experiment, I was surprised by the fact that visiting hours for the prisoner's families were held. Obviously the men's families had to know about the study they were participating in, I just surprised me that they agreed to play along with it and visit their son and see the extreme conditions he was living in. It is really amazing that it took 50 outside visitors before one expressed concern over what was taking place in the Stanford Psychology building's basement.
I don't believe that the mens' families knew what was fully going on. They knew their sons were in an experimental jail, but they didn't understand the extremes conditions they were living in. They changed they way everything look as to make it seem like their jail was a pleasant environment.
ReplyDelete"The next day, we held a visiting hour for parents and friends. We were worried that when the parents saw the state of our jail, they might insist on taking their sons home. To counter this, we manipulated both the situation and the visitors by making the prison environment seem pleasant and benign. We washed, shaved, and groomed the prisoners, had them clean and polish their cells, fed them a big dinner, played music on the intercom, and even had an attractive former Stanford cheerleader, Susie Phillips, greet the visitors at our registration desk."
Emily,
ReplyDeleteYes I agree with you about them cleaning the toilets with their bare hands. However, in a picture I thought I saw what looked like a sponge in one of the prisoner's hands. If they had sponges it would've been alright. But if not, then it'd definitely be unethical.
-Jason
Lacey, I think that changing the environment of the jail in the experiment simulates what happens in real life. In real jails, families don't see their sons or daughters in their actual cell, they meet with them in designated visiting areas that are cleaner and more welcoming than the part of the jail the inmates actually live in. I guess you're right that the families weren't fully aware of what was going on.
ReplyDeleteJason, I agree that if they were cleaning with a sponge that would be more acceptable. Thanks for pointing that out!
Emily: You provide a contrasting view from the other students. When I've assigned this in the past, most of the students felt it was unethical. They were put off by the stress and embarrassment that the subjects had to experience. You provide a thoughtful discussion. Richard Bobys
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