I have been primarily interested in how and why ordinary people do unusual things, things that seem alien to their natures. Why do good people sometimes act evil? Why do smart people sometimes do dumb or irrational things? Philip Zimbardo actaliendumb share on social
Situational variables can exert powerful influences over human behavior, more so that we recognize or acknowledge. Philip Zimbardo acknowledgebehaviorexert Change image and share on social
Careers in virtually all academic disciplines are fostered by being a superstar who knows more about one subject than anyone else in the world. Philip Zimbardo academiccareerdiscipline Change image and share on social
That human behavior is more influenced by things outside of us than inside. The 'situation' is the external environment. The inner environment is genes, moral history, religious training. Philip Zimbardo behaviorenvironmentexternal Change image and share on social
There are times when external circumstances can overwhelm us, and we do things we never thought. If you're not aware that this can happen, you can be seduced by evil. We need inoculations against our own potential for evil. We have to acknowledge it. Then we can change it. Philip Zimbardo acknowledgeawarechange share on social
My early childhood prepared me to be a social psychologist. I grew up in a South Bronx ghetto in a very poor family. From Sicilian origin, I was the first person in my family to complete high school, let alone go to college. Philip Zimbardo bronxchildhoodcollege share on social
Prejudice and discrimination have always been a big part of my life. When I was 6, I got beat up and called dirty Jew boy because they thought I looked Jewish. Philip Zimbardo beatbigboy Change image and share on social
Human behavior is incredibly pliable, plastic. Philip Zimbardo behaviorhumanincredibly Change image and share on social
Heroes are those who can somehow resist the power of the situation and act out of noble motives, or behave in ways that do not demean others when they easily can. Philip Zimbardo actbehavedemean Change image and share on social
What troubles me is the Internet and the electronic technology revolution. Shyness is fueled in part by so many people spending huge amounts of time alone, isolated on e-mail, in chat rooms, which reduces their face-to-face contact with other people. Philip Zimbardo amountchatcontact share on social
