Controversial Experiments in Psychology

Discover famous psychology studies that raised questionable ethical, safety, or legal issues.

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For some types of psychoses, this surgical procedure separated the frontal lobe of the cortex from the rest of the brain. Although some seemed to improve, the high risk complications and ethical questions stopped its use.

Stanly Milgram's "authorities" told subjects to give increasing levels of electric shock to other subjects when they answered incorrectly. Although the shocked subjects were actors, the subjects did not know this.

Phillip Zimbardo simulated a prison by making some students guards with power and control over other student prisoners for two weeks. It had to be stopped because of the abusive behavior by the guards.

Albert Bandura encouraged children to hit, punch, and kick a blow-up doll by watching an adult do this while yelling "hit him, kick him" in order to demonstrate the modeling of aggression.

Solomon Asch asked for student judgements after listening to other students had given incorrect but unanimous answers intentionally.

Harry Harlow studied attachment by raising monkeys in total isolation with only wire or cloth dolls for support.