Final answer:
The 'power-might makes right' theory holds that the superior power of the guard is the main method for controlling conflict in prisons, an idea demonstrated by the Stanford Prison Experiment and further explained through concepts such as hegemony.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the power-might makes right theory, the main method for controlling conflict in prisons is the superior power of the guard. This concept was notably illustrated in the controversial Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by psychologist Phillip Zimbardo in 1971, albeit the experiment itself has been criticized for ethical issues and questions regarding the validity of its conclusions. Nevertheless, the idea that those who are in positions of authority, such as prison guards, exert control primarily through their ability to enforce power aligns with a broader sociological understanding of power dynamics in institutional settings, further explained through concepts like hegemony, as articulated by Antonio Gramsci.
Gramsci's notion of hegemony discusses how dominant groups maintain their power not just through direct force but also by subtly promoting values and beliefs that support their authority. This theory can apply to the prison system as guards maintain order through a combination of force and the establishment of certain accepted norms. When discussing power in prison dynamics, it is clear that maintaining control often involves a complex mixture of overt power and ingrained social structures.