(1) How would you relate the Stanford Prison Experiment
to our discussions regarding politics, power, and authority?
If people are given power, naturally the person
will feel powerful. He will have authority, an appointed power in which gives
the capability to do what they want. And this natural reaction to power to
people is what reflected the results of the Stanford Prison Experiment. The
guards are given complete authority from small to the vilest actions and the prisoners
are the ones being oppressed. Then in
the essence of the project the prison guards show what happens when people are
given power to do things freely. A quotation from the experiment says that “If
people are given power, then they have the capability to be evil” to overpower
others and get the feeling they’re on top that they are higher and will have
more authority. In relation to politics, power and authority is always at play.
Afterall politics is the study of direction and contest of power. And we often
see this use of power from our government leaders. But is power evil? No, power
is not evil it only does become bad if it is used on evil motives and purposes.
Power like politics is amoral, it can either be bad or good. And if the right
and strict conditions of power will be met unlike the use of power in the
Stanford Prison Experiment. Politics can be better and the right and correct
decisions that will benefit the society will be made. Overall, the experiment
reflects that if people are granted the power to do something they will think
that they would have an ability to overwhelm, direct and abuse people because
they cannot fight back. It is a man’s natural nature to conquer and take charge
of other people. But as we learn from the experiment, power is bad in the wrong
conditions. Power is a tool of authority and politics, and those who have power
have the means to influence, direct and control other people. In politics, the
power and authority that is granted to us must be used wisely. We must use our
power to lead people! For the better and greatness of the world!
(2) If you are to assess the study
conducted by Professor Zimbardo, what theoretical approach or framework would
you use and why?
As
I have observed and watched the study conducted by Professor Philip Zimbardo,
from many sources and materials. The most explicit idea that can be inferred
from the Standford Prison Experiment in my eyes, is how absolute authority and
total power affect the dynamics and relationship of people, specifically, the
Prison Guards and the Prisoners. The study ended with the result of rampant corruption
of power and abuse, with the guards treating prisoners inhumanely and dehumanizing
them and stripping of their identity. If I were to assess the study of
Professor Zimbardo, I would like to develop and continue a new phase of the
study. In relation to power, and with the same people as personality tests and
setting as is in the original experiment. What will happen if you remove the guards’
anonymity? And give the prisoners some considerations and legal rights (power) to
fight back? How will these limitations change and differ with the results of
the original study? Will the guards still act in the same power? What if
prisoners will have access to lawyers? Will it be the same as is in any other
prisons? In the follow-up study that I propose in similar conditions. I want to
know what the result will be and how different will the prisoners be than the
last? And will people in authority stay in line if there are factors that check
and balance their authority. In a humane environment, will the result be wretched,
or still will be good? Thank you and may God Be Glorified!
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