Stanford Prison Experiment (1971)

The Stanford Prison Experiment (1971) is a cultural icon of situational power, but its validity has crumbled under scrutiny. Researchers later revealed that Philip Zimbardo coached guards to act harshly and that participants followed demand characteristics, with only one-third showing genuine distress. This methodology fails stricter modern standards, unlike the Milgram Obedience Experiment (#3), which, despite ethical concerns, has been partially replicated with consistent results.