HTA Lecture: “Roles, Obedience, and Authority: An Examination of the Stanford Prison Experiment”

Suzanne Gibson will present the 2026 Humanities Teacher Award lecture for Meridian Community College titled “Roles, Obedience, and Authority: An Examination of the Stanford Prison Experiment.”

This presentation examines the Stanford Prison Experiment to explore how assigned roles can significantly influence human behavior. It explains how individuals may change when placed into specific social roles and how granting even a small amount of power can alter behavior within those roles. The presentation also discusses how authority and obedience can be established by stripping individuals of their identity, demonstrating how situational forces can outweigh personal morals and values.

The lecture will take place on the Meridian Community College campus on February 27, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.