In this experiment, able-bodied and psychologically sound men were carefully chosen to participate. They were then split off into their roles. The men who were given the role of the guards took to their job seriously and instantly felt all the power and authority consume them. Seemingly normal and healthy man were displaying sadistic behaviors by torturing the inmates in inhumane ways such as forcing them to use a bucket as a bathroom or taking away any comfort like their mattresses. The guards dehumanized their victims by regarding them as their prison number instead of their actual names.
The second half of the volunteers were made to be prisoners. This was further emphasized by the fact that they were “arrested” and brought to the location of the experiment. At the beginning, the prisoners showed rebellion by not following the orders of the guards. It didn’t help that the guards, being inexperienced gave out slightly awkward auras in the beginning. Soon enough when the torture started many of the prisoners started to become complacent with the acts in order not to get punished severely. These health men were being degraded and felt hopeless to their attacks.
-Sumaiyah Ali