What was the primary finding of the Stanford prison experiment?

The primary finding of the Stanford prison experiment is that individuals can easily conform to roles, even if immoral. This iconic study, conducted by Philip Zimbardo in 1971, aimed to explore the psychological effects of perceived power and authority within a simulated prison environment. Participants, assigned either the role of guard or prisoner, quickly adapted to their roles, leading to abusive behavior by the guards and extreme stress among the prisoners.

The experiment powerfully illustrated how situational factors and social roles can influence behavior, sometimes leading people to act in ways that are contrary to their personal morals and ethics. This phenomenon of role conformity highlights the impact of social and environmental contexts on individual behavior, reinforcing the idea that people may engage in harmful actions when placed in certain circumstances or under specific authority structures, regardless of their inherent personality traits.