This Famous Study Lacked Oversight

Active with Psychologists for Social Responsibility, Robert Fettgather, PhD, is interested in the intersections between psychology and religion. Dr. Robert Fettgather has also served as a stress management trainer, certified by the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing. A resident of Grass Valley, California, Robert Fettgather is an associate faculty member at Mission College in Santa Clara.

Imagine a research project which involved recruiting college students who were randomly assigned to act as either prisoners or guards in a simulated prison setting. The participants were instructed to take on their roles for a two-week period. What transpired within just a few days shocked the researchers and exposed a series of ethical issues. One of the most significant ethical problems with the Stanford Prison Experiment was the lack of informed consent. Participants were not adequately informed about the possible psychological and emotional distress that they might experience during the study. This lack of transparency made it impossible for them to make a fully informed decision about their participation

The Stanford Prison Experiment suffered from a lack of independent oversight. Philip Zimbardo himself took on the role of prison superintendent, and his involvement may have contributed to a lack of objectivity and the perpetuation of unethical conditions within the study.

The Stanford Prison Experiment has had a lasting impact on the field of psychology and research ethics. It has raised questions about the balance between the pursuit of knowledge and the well-being of research participants. In response to the ethical issues it highlighted, research institutions have established stringent guidelines and ethical review boards to ensure that future studies prioritize the safety and well-being of participants.

As researchers continue to grapple with the ethical challenges it raised, the study serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to strict ethical standards in all human research endeavors.