The Stanford Prison Experiment’s Ethical Legacy
Although the Stanford Prison Experiment did not use real prisoners, it powerfully exposed the dangers of unchecked authority, coercion, and inadequate consent in research involving incarceration. The study’s psychological impact on participants led to widespread criticism and calls for stricter ethical oversight in human research. Its legacy continues to influence guidelines for protecting subjects from harm. For more, see the APA’s coverage of the experiment’s ongoing significance.
