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The Zimbardo Experiment

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It is safe to say that ethics is the principal of what is considered morally correct. The Zimbardo prison study is a controversy still be studied to this day. The famous study focussed on the dangers of having too much power and it soon became an unethical milestone for psychology. This taboo experiment consisted of college students being put in a prison/guard environment, and psychologists were to study the behavior of the students in a locked down arena. Although the study may have seemed ethical on paper, it soon became apparent that it was damaging the individuals involved and therefore did not last long. Although the Zimbardo study had its educational perks, it's unethical components have shaped the way psychologists have been making …show more content…

For future studies in general, psychologists should still have a say in who participates. It is important to conduct research with the most suited individuals who will have the best chance of succeeding. Also for future studies researchers should have a motive to why the study is being done. Psychologists need to ask themselves, what is the purpose of this study? It is important that in future research humans are not dehumanitized for a study. Ethical experiments should always consist of a way to still learn from it, but also without harming the individuals involved. Those involved in the study may have long lasting effects of what happened and it is not something easily forgotten. With ethical standards in place, things like long term psychological effects can be avoided. During the Zimbardo Experiment the individuals who were involved encountered a brutal experience. Although the Zimbardo study had its educational perks, it's unethical components have shaped the way psychologists have been making studies ever since then. Due to the unethical standards, studies today have learned from the Zimbardo Study. It is important to move on from the study, but also remember what happened. Researchers conducting future studies are able to alter the way psychology and ethical standards co-exist because of the things learned from Philip Zimbardo’s

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