Passing of Philip G. Zimbardo
Philip G. Zimbardo, the psychologist known for the controversial “Stanford Prison Experiment,” has passed away at the age of 91. Stanford University announced his death on October 14 at his home in San Francisco, although a cause of death has not been disclosed.
In 1971, Zimbardo and a group of graduate students conducted a study involving college-aged males who were asked to participate in a simulated prison environment set up in a basement at Stanford. The experiment was originally designed to last two weeks but was halted after just six days due to the alarming behavior exhibited by the participants. Those assigned the role of guards became psychologically abusive, while the “prisoners” experienced significant emotional distress, including anxiety and anger, leading to the early termination of the study.
Lasting Impact and Legacy
Zimbardo was criticized for stepping into the role of superintendent, which made him an active participant in the experiment instead of remaining a neutral observer. This involvement raised ethical questions about the study’s objectivity and integrity.
“The results of our study were surprising and unforeseen,” Zimbardo later noted alongside one of the graduate students involved in the project.
Today, this experiment is commonly referenced in psychology courses to explore the nature of evil and the ethical considerations of conducting research with human participants, according to Stanford.
Zimbardo’s work also encompassed various topics, including persuasion, hypnosis, cults, shyness, time perspective, altruism, and compassion, Stanford mentioned. He is survived by his wife, Christina Maslach Zimbardo, along with three children and four grandchildren.