Philip Zimbardo

American psychologist known for the Stanford prison experiment

Philip George Zimbardo (born March 23, 1933) is an American psychologist and a professor emeritus at Stanford University. He is best known for his 1971 Stanford prison experiment, which demonstrated the power of situational forces and social roles in influencing human behavior. Zimbardo has also authored numerous books and articles on a variety of psychological topics, including shyness, time perspective, and the Lucifer Effect.

Early life and education

Philip Zimbardo was born in New York City, to a family of Sicilian immigrants. He grew up in the South Bronx and attended James Monroe High School. Zimbardo earned his B.A. in psychology from Brooklyn College in 1954, where he graduated summa cum laude. He then went on to earn his M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology from Yale University in 1955 and 1959, respectively.

Academic career

Zimbardo began his academic career as a professor at Yale University, and later taught at New York University and Columbia University. In 1968, he joined the faculty at Stanford University, where he conducted the famous Stanford prison experiment.

Stanford prison experiment

Zimbardo with Christina Maslach in 1972

The Stanford prison experiment was a landmark psychological study of the human response to captivity, in particular, to the real world circumstances of prison life. The experiment, funded by the U.S. Office of Naval Research, was conducted at Stanford University in August 1971. Zimbardo and his team selected 24 male college students who were randomly assigned to play the roles of "guards" and "prisoners" in a mock prison situated in the basement of the Stanford psychology building.

The experiment was originally scheduled to last two weeks but was terminated after only six days due to the extreme and distressing behavior exhibited by the participants. The "guards" became abusive, and the "prisoners" showed signs of severe emotional distress. The study highlighted the impact of situational variables on human behavior and has been widely discussed in the fields of psychology and ethics.

Later work and contributions

After the Stanford prison experiment, Zimbardo continued to explore the themes of social influence and situational power. He has written extensively on the topic of shyness, developing the "Shyness Clinic" at Stanford to help people overcome social anxiety. Zimbardo has also researched the concept of time perspective, examining how individuals' perceptions of time affect their behavior and decision-making.

In 2007, Zimbardo published "The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil", a book that explores the psychological mechanisms that can lead ordinary people to commit acts of evil. The book draws on the findings of the Stanford prison experiment and other historical events to analyze the nature of evil.

Personal life

Zimbardo in Wrocław, 2019

Philip Zimbardo is married to Christina Maslach, a fellow psychologist who played a crucial role in the early termination of the Stanford prison experiment. They have two children. Zimbardo has been an advocate for social change and has been involved in various educational and humanitarian projects.

Publications

Zimbardo has authored and co-authored numerous books and articles, including:

• "The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil"
• "The Time Paradox: The New Psychology of Time That Will Change Your Life"
• "Shyness: What It Is, What to Do About It"

Related pages

• Stanford prison experiment
• Social psychology
• Lucifer Effect

Zimbardo in Warsaw, 2009