South SFV Today

Philip G. Zimbardo, a prominent figure in psychology, passed away on October 14 at his San Francisco home. He was 91 years old. Known for the controversial Stanford Prison Experiment conducted in 1971 alongside W. Curtis Banks, Craig Haney, and David Jaffe, Zimbardo's work delved into how environments impact behavior. This study continues to be a significant reference in psychology courses, illustrating both the psychological effects of imprisonment and ethical considerations in research.

Claude Steele, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, stated: “Phil Zimbardo is one of the most prolific and influential psychologists of his generation – a true pioneer of the field of social psychology.” Steele emphasized Zimbardo's contribution to studying real-life human behavior scientifically.

Zimbardo first gained national attention with his 1969 study on vandalism causes, suggesting that anonymity and lack of community could lead to antisocial actions. His interest in social roles' influence on behavior was further explored through the Stanford Prison Experiment. In a press release from 1971, Zimbardo remarked: “Most people go about their daily life assuming that they have more control over their behavior than they actually do.”

The experiment involved creating a mock prison where participants were assigned roles as guards or prisoners by coin toss. The study ended prematurely after six days due to psychological distress among participants. Reflecting on this outcome, Zimbardo described it as “shocking and unexpected” and “out-of-control.”

Beyond this experiment, Zimbardo researched various topics such as shyness and the bystander effect. He founded the Stanford Shyness Clinic and wrote extensively on shyness. Newsweek recognized his work as "pioneering," contributing significantly to psychological studies.

Zimbardo also examined mind control and cults like Jim Jones' Peoples Temple. His curiosity extended to understanding positive human potential through projects like the Heroic Imagination Project aimed at fostering altruism.

Born on March 23, 1933, in New York City, Zimbardo grew up in poverty but pursued education passionately at Brooklyn College and Yale University. He joined Stanford University's faculty in 1968 after teaching at NYU and Columbia University.

Mark Lepper noted: “Phil was a highly decorated teacher,” while Ewart Thomas mentioned his influence on students pursuing research careers.

In recognition of his contributions, he received numerous awards including the American Psychological Association’s Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in Psychology Science (2012). He retired from teaching in 2003 but remained active within academic circles.

Zimbardo is survived by his wife Christina Maslach Zimbardo; son Adam; daughters Zara and Tanya; along with four grandchildren.

Donations can be made to Heroic Imagination Project or Social Psychology Network in lieu of flowers. Tributes are welcomed via philipzimbardo.com or Stanford Libraries’ archives containing his papers.