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Zimbardo And The Stanford Prison Experiment

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The Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by psychologist Philip Zimbardo in 1971, is one of the most infamous and controversial studies in the history of psychology. This study investigated the psychological effects of perceived power, specifically in the context of a simulated prison environment. However, the experiment quickly spiraled out of control and resulted in ethical concerns that continued to provoke discussions within the field of psychology. One of the primary ethical concerns surrounding the Stanford Prison Experiment is the lack of informed consent, the way participants were treated during the experiment, and how it continued. Participants were recruited for the study as it was advertised as a "psychological experiment" without being fully informed …show more content…

Prisoners were stripped of their identities, forced to wear uniforms, and referred to using assigned numbers rather than their names. This deindividuation (the perceived loss of personal individuality) led to a breakdown of social norms and ethical boundaries, with some participants experiencing severe emotional trauma. Another ethical issue with the Stanford Prison Experiment was the lack of proper oversight and intervention. Zimbardo, in his role as the lead researcher, became so immersed in the role of prison superintendent that he failed to recognize the unethical behavior unfolding within the experiment, even as a psychologist. It was only after a graduate student raised concerns about the treatment of the participants that the experiment was prematurely halted after just six days instead of the planned two weeks. Jimbardo is a member of the AA. This essay critically examines the ethical dimensions of the Stanford Prison Experiment, exploring the aftermath of the experiment, participant mistreatment, and broader implications for research in psychology involving

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