In Zimbardo's study, what happened to one of the participants that resulted in their early release?

In Zimbardo's study, one participant experienced severe psychological reactions that included crying and rage, leading to their early release. This outcome highlights the impact of situational pressures on individuals, specifically the psychological effects of being placed in a role where they were subjected to extreme authority and power dynamics. The study aimed to explore how people conform to roles they are assigned, and this specific incident underscored the potential for severe emotional distress when individuals become overwhelmed by their circumstances.

Such reactions are indicative of the adverse psychological effects that can arise in environments designed to simulate imprisonment, demonstrating the ethical concerns regarding the treatment of participants in psychological experiments. The emotional distress experienced by the participant serves as a critical reminder of the importance of safeguarding mental health within research settings.