In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck examine the Stanford Prison Experiment, revealing its poorly designed methodology and significant ethical issues. They discuss how the experiment transitioned from a playful setting to one of psychological abuse, with participants facing emotional breakdowns in just six days. Zimbardo's dual role as both researcher and superintendent complicated the power dynamics, raising questions about participant autonomy and the integrity of the findings. The hosts highlight the experiment's impact on our understanding of authority and human behavior, emphasizing its controversial legacy and the changes in ethical guidelines since its execution.