Thursday, July 10, 2008

Staying Out Of Prison

A group of social scientists set up a mock prison in the basement of the university's psychology building. Twenty-one volunteers from seventy-five applicants who appeared the most normal and healthy on psychological tests were chosen. Half were randomly designated as prisoners, the others as guards. Almost immediately, each side was drawn into their respective roles -- the guards inflicting sadistic intimidation measures, the prisoners losing their identity and striking back. The experiment, designed to last two weeks, was halted after six days.

The moral: Put yourself into the environment that's healthiest for you! Few of us are actually prisoners to our current situation. Our environment can bring the best or worst out of us. Our choices make us into what we become.

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