Philip Zimbardo, Creator of Stanford Prison Experiment, Dies at 91

The psychologist's controversial study shed light on the impact of social roles and authority on human behavior.

Philip G. Zimbardo, a renowned psychologist known for the 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment, has passed away at the age of 91.
Zimbardo's experiment, which involved college students role-playing as guards and prisoners, was terminated after six days due to ethical concerns.
The study revealed how quickly individuals could adopt abusive behaviors in authoritative roles, raising questions about the ethics of psychological research.
Despite controversy, the experiment remains a pivotal teaching tool in psychology for understanding the influence of situational factors on behavior.
Zimbardo's broader research interests included shyness, persuasion, and the psychology of evil, contributing significantly to social psychology.