In 1971, Dr. Phil Zimbardo, a new professor at Stanford University, decided to do an experimental two-week study in which he put good people in bad places. This (now) infamous study is known globally as The Stanford Prison Project. 

“[We] walked them down to the basement where the prison was, and then stripped them naked and took off the blindfold. The first thing they see is themselves, we had a big mirror for this reason, and they see themselves standing helpless and naked. And [the ‘guards’] say: Welcome to Stanford Prison.” 

Volunteer students were assigned the role of either prisoner or guard - a role about which they knew nothing. The experiment didn’t last the two weeks; Phil ended it after just six days when five of the prisoners had broken down. 

In this episode of Into The Magic Shop, Phil explains why this first-of-its-kind experiment was so insightful in revealing how easily intelligent participants can change their perception and mentality simply as a result of the social situation they’re in. 

To find out more, download and listen to this latest episode.

On today’s podcast: