Notable Psychological Experiments Gone Wrong

This lecture covered 10 psychological experiments that spiraled out of control, highlighting the ethical issues and consequences involved in each.

1. The Stanford Prison Experiment

• Year: 1971
• Researcher: Philip Zimbardo
• Objective: To study how people conform to social roles.
• Method: College students assigned roles as prisoners and guards in a mock prison.
• Outcome: Guards became sadistic; prisoners became distraught. Experiment ended prematurely after 6 days due to distress.

2. The Monster Study

• Year: 1939
• Participants: 22 orphan children, 10 with stutters.
• Method: Children divided into two groups; one received positive reinforcement, the other negative.
• Outcome: Negative reinforcement group suffered psychological damage. Compensation awarded in 2007.

3. MK Ultra

• Period: 1950s and 60s
• Conducted by: CIA
• Objective: Investigate mind control and psychology.
• Outcome: Subjects, including Ted Kaczynski, reportedly suffered psychological damage. Contributed to mental instability.

4. Elephant on LSD

• Year: 1962
• Researcher: Warren Thomas
• Objective: Study effects of LSD on elephants.
• Outcome: Elephant named Tusko died almost immediately after being injected.

5. Milgram Experiment

• Year: 1963
• Researcher: Stanley Milgram
• Objective: Test obedience to authority and potential for evil.
• Method: Public participants "shocked" an actor for incorrect answers.
• Outcome: Participants followed orders despite apparent distress of actor.

6. Tony Lamadre Study

• Start Year: 1983
• Objective: Study effects of withdrawing medication from schizophrenics.
• Outcome: High relapse rate; participant Tony Lamadre committed suicide.

7. Pit of Despair

• Researcher: Harry Harlow
• Objective: Study concept of love.
• Method: Isolate monkeys in a featureless chamber.
• Outcome: Monkeys went insane, some starved themselves. Contributed to animal rights movement.

8. The Third Wave

• Year: 1967
• Objective: Explore susceptibility to fascism.
• Method: High school students formed a hierarchy system.
• Outcome: Students embraced exclusionary practices. Experiment ended after 4 days.

9. Homosexual Aversion Therapy

• Period: 1960s
• Objective: "Cure" homosexuality.
• Method: Pair homosexual stimuli with negative experiences like electric shocks.
• Outcome: Caused severe psychological damage, one participant died.

10. David Reimer Case

• Year of Incident: 1966
• Researcher: John Money
• Objective: Prove gender identity is based on nurture.
• Method: Reimer underwent sex change; raised as a girl.
• Outcome: Experiment failed; Reimer reverted to male and committed suicide at age 38.