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Running Head: CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY EXPIERMENT

Running Head: JUVENILE DELINQUENCY EXPIERMENT

Causes of Juvenile Delinquency Experiment Study Deborah Llamas Professor Janette Nichols March 7, 2012

Running Head: CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY EXPIERMENT Abstract In an attempt to determine the most appropriate approach in researching the best suitable solution to an idea or opinion is by means conducted through Experimentation. At times studies are conducted for the purpose of determining individuals reactions, opinions or behavioral changes. Additionally, there are four very specific methods of experimentation including, Experiments and Causal Inference, Quasi-Experimental Designs, Variations in the Classical Experimental Design, and The Classical Experiment, all of which are conducted for different reasons and purposes.

Running Head: CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY EXPIERMENT The 1971 Stanford Prison experiment, obviously raised some very disturbing questions related to individuals own abilities to survive roles of authoritarian or subservient authority; the professor of Psychology at Stanford University Philip K. Zimbardo, began his research wanting to understand how both the prisoners and guards presume dutiful and demanding roles. His initial process was conducted by securing an advertisement the local newspaper, indicating the need for male senior high school students with the permission from their parents were needed for a prison study. This would pay each participant fifteen dollars for participating in the study, there was an astounding one hundred responses, however, of the one - hundred responses received only fifty were selected to participate in the study. Of the fifty participants twenty five were chosen to play the role of prison guards, and the other twenty-five played the roles of prisoners. The primary objective in the experiment was to determine the causes of different male delinquencies based on various factors, including those with ADD, ADHD, Bipolar, and testosterone disorders when both prisoners and guards began to become restrained and unreceptive. This was conducted by means of establishing a mock prison(Zimbardo p. 365) which each of the prisoners were assigned the same uniforms and cells, and were assigned numbers rather than utilizing their names. On the other hand, the guards were provided with uniforms and offices, very similar to that of the prisoners, with the exception the guards were fully equipped with billy clubs, whistles, handcuffs, keys, and had their freedom. Also, this particular condition allowed for surroundings similar to that of a real life prison; it also allowed everyone to be deprived of all distinguishing uniqueness, therefore each individual was considered to be equal. Each participant was then arrested, read their rights, and charged with a felony. Each male participant was then taken and was then fingerprinted and had their pictures taken, and booked, they were then secured in a holding cell. Additionally, each participant

Running Head: CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY EXPIERMENT in the study was isolated to determine the purpose for their arrest and detainment. After their initial arrest and booking, the fifty participants were then transported to the mock prison (Zimbardo p. 365), developed for the study at a local University basement. The twenty-five who were to play the role of the prisoners were then stripped searched, and given a prison jumpsuit, bedding, a small bowl of soup, and a towel. In this mock prison (Zimbardo p. 365) prisoners lost their liberty, civil rights, independence and privacy, while guards gained absolute social power accepting their responsibility and duties for controlling the lives of their prisoners. As a result, of the mock prison, it was becoming aware that controversial and psychological tension was developing between prisoners and the guards. Prisoners began to feel that there was no means possible of averting the system. Additionally, they began to become agitated, angered and frustrated. Although, the initial study was intended to be for a three week period, it had become obvious that both the prisoners and the guards were beginning to reflect extreme measures of agitation, and becoming more physical in nature, therefore, the decision was made to stop the study after a week. Although, this study was specifically for exploratory purposes, for the purpose of determining the extreme causes related to juvenile delinquency as a direct result of ADD, ADHD, Bipolar, and Testosterone disorders ,which obviously became evident as the male juvenile participants became infuriated and out of control with their surroundings and the guards. The juveniles with ADD, and ADHD began to reflect tremendous signs of Hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity, and began to have no regards to the demands issued to them by the guards, also they had completely become uninterested in their focusing on the demands being placed up[on them, as a result the guards, had begun to use unnecessary extreme force either by secluding the prisoners in solitary intended to be for no more than a period of a few hours and

Running Head: CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY EXPIERMENT forcing them in solitary for up to one day, additionally, they were utilizing their billy clubs, as weapons directed at the prisoners who were in their opinion out of control and behaving in a deviant manner. On the other hand, the prisoners diagnosed with Bipolar, had began to react with extreme periods of serious mood swings, differentials in energy, their thinking and behaviors began to fluctuate to the extremes of mania on one extreme, and to the lowest of depression on the other. The prisoners, with Bipolar had obviously become unstable, apprehensive, and uncontrollable, resulting in the guards using additional means of extreme force not only to protect themselves but the other prisoners as well(Smith. M. Segal. R. 2011). Also, prisoners with testosterone disorder some became more antisocial, while others became more dominant, competitive, and more inclined to seek a means of excitement. Their obvious testosterone disorder was allowing for either antisocial or prosocial behavior, thereby, becoming more unaware of their surroundings and the primary objective of the experiment. Also, as a result, the guards were beginning to use excessive force, mandating that they intermingle with the other prisoners, and when refusing, handcuffed them to chairs in the activity room Dabbs & Morris 2012). The experimental study despite the fact that it was intended as exploratory reflected a dramatic decline and disruption of the implemented rules and morals formulating exactly how individuals are to react towards one another. It is obvious, however, that this study fabricated additional rather than exploring the answers as originally intended, relative to the integrity and the mentality that clearly dwells within the human subconscious. Although, scientific in nature, the experiment was clearly a failure, however, generating additional results allowing for a further insight into the individual psychology and social behavior. Furthermore, the ethical ramifications of this particular study are still continued to

Running Head: CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY EXPIERMENT be discussed in colleges, universities, and undergraduate psychology classes around the world. Consequently, during the period of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo exploitations, the Stanford Prison Experiment is again becoming significant; clearly, reflecting that methodical abuse and the absolute rejection of human rights is rather coexistent in any prison facility. Moreover, this experiment has established the grounds for future studies of similarity, although, there have been stricter restraints and controls implemented over the years to protect participants in the studies. In conclusion, based on this exploratory study, it has become obvious that individuals with biological disorders are prone to becoming as violent and out of control in a simulated atmosphere, as well as in the real world. Therefore, reflecting an absolute connection between these specific causes of juvenile delinquency has in common.

Running Head: CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY EXPIERMENT

References

Running Head: CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY EXPIERMENT References


Dabbs, J., & Morris, R. (2012). Testosterone, social class, and antisocial behavior in a sample of 4,462 men. Psychological Science. Retrieved March 7, 2012. From: http://pss.sagepub.com/content/1/3/209.short Smith. M. & Segal. R. (2011). ADD / ADHD in Children SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER IN KIDS. HelpGuide.org. Retrieved March 7, 2012. From: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_signs_symptoms.htm#top

Zimbardo. P. (1999). The Stanford Prison Experiment. Retrieved March 7, 2012. From: http://www.prisonexp.org/

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