Edited sentence: " (That is, what factor is causing the effect.) This classic study is a clear example of "Confounding the Independent Variable"., Zimbardo) on obedience, the effect of sensory deprivation, the effect of unrestrained power, etc.Although emotionally dramatic, because of its lack of a properly manipulated and isolated Independent Variable and an objectively defined and measured Dependent Variable, no clear cause and effect relationship can be concluded.One of his colleagues questioned Zimbardo during the experiment, "What is your Independent Variable.The Dependent Variable (that is, the outcome behavior measurement) is not clearly defined or measured.There are several possible Independent Variables and none of them are isolated clearly.Therefore, this study could be about the effect of roles on behavior, the effect of an authority figure (i.These three serious methodological problems must cause this study to be regarded much more as a "simulation" rather than as a true "controlled experiment".This famous study is not well designed and has several serious experimental flaws:.This removed his objectivity as the principal investigator and created "experimenter bias".This study is not a true experiment and does not clearly "prove anything" specific, but rather it can be interpreted and used by anyone as evidence to support many varied points of view.Zimbardo injected himself into the experiment by playing the role of the prison superintendent