Document Type
Article
Abstract
In 1971, shortly after earning my Ph.D. at Stanford, I found myself unexpectedly drawn into the events of the Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE). Although I was not involved in the study’s design, my reaction to the disturbing behaviors I witnessed led me to confront my partner, Philip Zimbardo, about the ethics of continuing the research. That conversation ultimately led him to end the study. In this personal reflection, I revisit my experience as an unintentional “outsider ombudsperson,” exploring the psychological and ethical challenges that unfolded within the SPE. I reflect on what I learned about dissent, disobedience, and how stepping outside of a powerful social situation enabled me to see what others did not -- and to act.
DOI
10.26736/hs.2025.01.05
Recommended Citation
Maslach, Christina
(2025)
"On Becoming a Hero: Insights from an Unexpected Experience,"
Heroism Science: Vol. 10:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
DOI: 10.26736/hs.2025.01.05
Available at:
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/heroism-science/vol10/iss1/5