Ethical Quote by Philip Zimbardo
“The first time I spoke publicly about the Stanford Prison Experiment, Stanley Milgram told me: "Your study is going to take all the ethical heat off of my back. People are now going to say yours is the most unethical study ever, and not mine.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Oral History with Philip Zimbardo, 1990s
The quote highlights how researchers may shift blame for ethical controversies onto others, deflecting criticism from their own work.
In simple terms: People shift blame to avoid criticism.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and own ethical responsibility.
Themes
ethics
responsibility
psychology
research
accountability
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
cautionary
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic conferences
- ethics review boards
- public lectures
- media interviews
Key Concepts
moral psychology
ethical deflection
scientific integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure your own ethical standards?
- What mechanisms can prevent blame shifting in research?
A Different Perspective
It may oversimplify complex ethical issues by focusing on rivalry.
![“The [Stanford Prison Experiment] was readily approved by the Human Subjects Research committee because it seemed like college kids playing cops and robbers, it was an experiment that anyone could quit at any time and minimal safeguards were in place. You must distinguish hind sight from fore…” quote by Philip Zimbardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/189/philip-zimbardo-8654_approved_the-stanford-prison-experiment-was-readi_274049.jpg)
