Learn Before
Concept

Escalation of Guard Behavior in the Stanford Prison Experiment

To the researchers' surprise, both the “prisoners” and “guards” assumed their assigned roles with zeal. The behavior of the guards quickly escalated to sadistic levels. By the second day, they began harassing the prisoners by forcing them to strip, confiscating their beds, and isolating the ringleaders in solitary confinement. The guards continued to degrade the prisoners through late-night counts, assigning demeaning chores, and denying them basic comforts and privacy.

0

1

Updated 2026-05-17

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

Ch.12 Social Psychology - Psychology @ OpenStax

Psychology @ OpenStax

Introduction to Psychology @ OpenStax Course

OpenStax

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Psychology

Social Science

Empirical Science

Science