What was the primary focus of the Stanford prison experiment conducted in 1971?

The primary focus of the Stanford prison experiment conducted in 1971 was to observe behavior in a mock jail setting. This groundbreaking psychological study, led by Philip Zimbardo, aimed to investigate the psychological effects of perceived power and authority in a simulated prison environment. Participants were assigned roles as either guards or prisoners, and the experiment sought to understand how these roles influenced their behaviors and interactions. The findings revealed disturbing insights into human nature, including the ease with which individuals could conform to roles that implemented cruelty and dehumanization, highlighting the powerful impact of situational factors on individual behavior. This research has since become a pivotal reference point in discussions surrounding ethics in psychological studies, the dynamics of authority, and the human capacity for aggression and compliance.