The Stanford Prison Experiment (Zimbardo, 1972)

Philip Zimbardo’s most famous study, The Stanford Prison Experiment, almost went horribly wrong.

The experiment had to be called off within a week because the conditions had proved to be too dangerous for participants to continue.

Psychologists have a duty to protect their participants from mental and physical harm and, as you will see, Zimbardo’s study put both of these at risk.

A plaque is still mounted on the wall at Stanford University where the study took place.

If the study goes to show us anything, it is that we should always be aware of social and situational influences which may pressure us to behave in ways we might otherwise not.





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About Daniel Edward 65 Articles
Daniel set up Psychology Unlocked in 2016 to support Psychology students in higher and further education. Daniel has a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Psychology, Politics and Sociology from the University of Cambridge.