Studying obedience to authority most often reveals human nature repugnantly; however, it teaches society their individual capability thus they can prevent unethical actions. In “The Abu Ghraib Prison Scandal: Sources of Sadism,” Marianna Szegedy-Maszak writes about the unethical treatment and results of American guards physically violating the Iraqi prisoners. The guards with authority over the criminals were charged for “crimes against humanity” (Szegedy-Maszak 75). The author analyzes why the guards preceded to conduct in this manner and concludes that they had an excessive amount of stress from their duties and lacked a release for that stress. Lastly, Szegedy-Maszak outlines the steps leading to torture: authorization, routinization, and
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Then she logically identifies how the guards at Abu Ghraib prison display these actions. First, the author recognizes that the guards were told that they were only softening the prisoners for later interrogation. Also, the disk of photographs found on the investigator’s bed contained scenes of “horrific physical abuse” (Szegedy-Maszak 75). Zimbardo would agree with Szegedy-Maszak’s definition of authorization and outlines examples of it. Zimbardo explains that the mock guards wore silver reflector sunglasses to eliminate eye contact which dehumanized the prisoners by severing any emotional connection (Zimbardo 109). Later, the diary entry of Guard A recounts a specific prisoner causing him discomfort which led him to condemn the prisoner to the hole and force feed him (Zimbardo 109). The power of the situation overtook normalcy, and the guard forced his social authority. Michael Arron, a PhD of psychology, identifies that authority is granted to leaders when the followers extend it to them based on a set of rules (Arron 1). Zimbardo would agree with Arron because both the guard and prisoner set of rules identified the guards as the authority figures. Finally, Zimbardo quotes Erich Fromm’s definition of sadism to clarify how the guards had, “the wish for absolute control over another living being” (Zimbardo 112). Zimbardo logically continues to …show more content…
Zimbardo built a mock prison in the basement of the psychology building at Standard University while the Abu Ghraib prison scandal took place in a real prison in Iraq. Also, Zimbardo randomly collected volunteer college-aged men for the experiment while Szegedy-Maszak cites the prison was staffed by American military guards over Iraqi detainees. Zimbardo claims validly in his conclusion that if the mock prison environment instigates irrational pressures to change the “elite” guards radically in a short period of time, it could happen to anybody (Zimbardo 116). Melissa Dittmann would logically agree because she presents that the average individual desires to be the “good apple” and can overcome any situation; however, “people can be influenced, regardless of their intention to resist” (Dittmann 1). William Saletan, writer for Slate Magazine, introduces an entirely new concept to the evidences that separates the articles. Saletan explains that Zimbardo’s experiment, apart from “one Asian-American, the prisoners, like the guards, were [all] white” (Saletan 1). Saletan logically analyzes the variable of different kinds of prisoners which affected the outcomes of the scenarios. Saletan points out that the Abu Ghraib prisoners were foreign enemies and “the guards didn't understand Iraq, hated being there, and were under”
Then she logically identifies how the guards at Abu Ghraib prison display these actions. First, the author recognizes that the guards were told that they were only softening the prisoners for later interrogation. Also, the disk of photographs found on the investigator’s bed contained scenes of “horrific physical abuse” (Szegedy-Maszak 75). Zimbardo would agree with Szegedy-Maszak’s definition of authorization and outlines examples of it. Zimbardo explains that the mock guards wore silver reflector sunglasses to eliminate eye contact which dehumanized the prisoners by severing any emotional connection (Zimbardo 109). Later, the diary entry of Guard A recounts a specific prisoner causing him discomfort which led him to condemn the prisoner to the hole and force feed him (Zimbardo 109). The power of the situation overtook normalcy, and the guard forced his social authority. Michael Arron, a PhD of psychology, identifies that authority is granted to leaders when the followers extend it to them based on a set of rules (Arron 1). Zimbardo would agree with Arron because both the guard and prisoner set of rules identified the guards as the authority figures. Finally, Zimbardo quotes Erich Fromm’s definition of sadism to clarify how the guards had, “the wish for absolute control over another living being” (Zimbardo 112). Zimbardo logically continues to …show more content…
Zimbardo built a mock prison in the basement of the psychology building at Standard University while the Abu Ghraib prison scandal took place in a real prison in Iraq. Also, Zimbardo randomly collected volunteer college-aged men for the experiment while Szegedy-Maszak cites the prison was staffed by American military guards over Iraqi detainees. Zimbardo claims validly in his conclusion that if the mock prison environment instigates irrational pressures to change the “elite” guards radically in a short period of time, it could happen to anybody (Zimbardo 116). Melissa Dittmann would logically agree because she presents that the average individual desires to be the “good apple” and can overcome any situation; however, “people can be influenced, regardless of their intention to resist” (Dittmann 1). William Saletan, writer for Slate Magazine, introduces an entirely new concept to the evidences that separates the articles. Saletan explains that Zimbardo’s experiment, apart from “one Asian-American, the prisoners, like the guards, were [all] white” (Saletan 1). Saletan logically analyzes the variable of different kinds of prisoners which affected the outcomes of the scenarios. Saletan points out that the Abu Ghraib prisoners were foreign enemies and “the guards didn't understand Iraq, hated being there, and were under”