Psychological Prisons People Create For Themselves and Others
In real life, and in relation to the Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE), many examples show how human beings create their psychological prisons. The worst reality is that in most cases, human beings are psychologically ‘imprisoned’ without their knowledge (Moir, 2014). In this way, it becomes even more challenging to come up with strategies of how to cope or overcome the “humiliating” experience under the prison. One of the prisons that humans psychologically put themselves in is when individuals believe that by drinking alcohol or taking drugs, some problems in life including stress will disappear. Notably, there are different reasons why people take drugs or alcohol. However, the common reason or belief is that drugs and alcohol makes one forget about the real problem that he or she is facing, thus helping in creating a sigh of relief. However, it is worth pointing out that for problems to disappear, they must be solved. Unfortunately, taking alcohol or drugs does not help in any way to solve life problems. In fact, what such drugs do is to postpone a problem or make it even worse. The relief that is brought about by such actions is only temporary (Moir, 2014). After one becomes sober, the same problems “come” back to haunt the person. In this way, it is clear that people get into a psychological prison, where they feel comfortable. This life scenario is a prison, since, if one continues with the same behavior; the problems he or she is facing will never be solved.
The feeling of low self-esteem is also another form of psychological prison. High self-esteem plays an instrumental role in helping one achieve his or her goals in life. However, in most cases, people find themselves unable to achieve goals in their lives or self-actualizing themselves due to low self-esteem (Moir, 2014). Unfortunately, when some people feel that they cannot attain a goal, they become satisfied and comfortable. The result is that they no longer try to work hard and achieve their goals in life. In this way, they put themselves in a psychological prison, where they feel unable to self-actualize their life or their dreams.
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Difference between the Prison SPE and the Prisons People Create Through Sexism, Racism, Poverty, and Other Social Institutions
The difference between the prison in the Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE) and the prisons people create through sexism, racism, poverty, ageism, and other social institutions is that in the SPE, there were wall boundaries in which prisoners were confined in a specific place (Moir, 2014). However, the “prisoners” in the aforementioned forms of social aspects are not confined to any physical structure. On the other hand, unlike in the SPE, the current forms of prisons are only psychological without physical humiliation. At the same time, the “prisoners” in these forms of prisons can come out and be free of any psychological torture. For example, one can decide to work hard and make his or her life better instead of being considered as poor.
The Illusion of Prison Created In Marriages
In marriages, an illusion is created where one of the spouses becomes the guard and the other the prisoner. As noted in the Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE), twelve prisoners were under the instructions from the guard (Kulig et al., 2017). Prisoners had to follow what the guards ordered them, and if they went against the instructions, they would be severely punished. On the other hand, the guards were not receiving instructions from anyone since they had been given freedom to “rule” over the prisoners. The same happens in a marriage where in some cultures, the husband takes the position of a guard, while the wife becomes the prisoner. Unfortunately, the society has cultured people in this way, such that even when the husband has not assumed the role of a guard, the wife takes him as one. Therefore, the wife creates a psychological prison for herself. The husband who takes the role of a guard also creates a psychological prison by not allowing his wife freedom to make choices.
The Illusion of Prison Created In Neurosis
In relation to the illusion of prison created in neurosis where one finds himself into personal and internal fights, it is prudent to note that there is always a possibility of coming out of this kind of prison (Moir, 2014). In most cases, people find themselves in this kind of prison when they either see others achieving a lot in life beyond what they have accomplished or when they are told they cannot do some things in life. Consequently, this creates low self-esteem. The aspect of “prison” comes in when one believes he or she cannot achieve the same thing. Unfortunately, the “personal” guard acts to continue imprisoning one in the entire life. However, with intervention, one can come out of this prison.
Similarities between the SPE and Abu Ghraib in Iraq
There are several similarities between the SPE and what happened to the Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib. Firstly, in the two prisons, prisoners were subjected to extreme physical and psychological torture (Moir, 2014). Secondly, in the SPE, the guards were free to torture the prisoners while in Iraq case; the US soldiers were free to subject the “prisoners” to torture. Finally, in both cases, the prisoners were confined in physical places.
Arguments, Assumptions or Conclusions from Evidence Gathered
Based on the studies reviewed, it is clear that human beings, with time, accept psychological situations, especially when subjected to the same position for a long time. A case in point was in the SPE where the prisoners were not willing to come out of the prison even when they were subjected to torture. Secondly, situations can shape human personality. For example, before being confined into prisons, the twenty-four boys were not behaving the same way as during the two weeks’ they spent in the prison.
Historical Event Associated With SPE
In reference to the SPE and the evidence gathered, one of the historical events that can be associated with SPE is the situation in Syria. The war in Syria has been filled with reports of people being taken hostage by ISIL fighters for years. Some even become wives of their enemies. In such conditions, many innocent people are converted into ISIL fighters despite undergoing all manner of torture.
References
Kulig, T. C., Pratt, T. C., & Cullen, F. T. (2017). Revisiting the Stanford Prison Experiment: A
Case Study in Organized Skepticism. Journal of Criminal Justice Education , 28 (1), 74-
111. doi:10.1080/10511253.2016.1165855
Moir, L. (2014). The prison psychology. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World.
