Approved Quote by Philip Zimbardo
![“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)
“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 sight, knowing what you know now after the study is quite different from what most people imagined might happen before the study began.”
About This Quote
Source Study: Stanford Prison Experiment, 1971, Stanford University
The experiment was approved with lax oversight, underestimating potential harm; hindsight shows the danger of ignoring foresight.
In simple terms: Lax oversight led to harm; hindsight reveals missed warnings.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize rigorous ethical review.
Themes
ethics
research
human behavior
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
cautionary
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- clinical trials
- policy making
- education
- media reporting
Key Concepts
psychology
institutional power
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How might stronger safeguards have changed outcomes?
- What signs were ignored before approval?
A Different Perspective
Oversight can be compromised by assumptions about participant consent.
