The Most Controversial Academic Research Studies of All Time

Introduction

Academic research studies have always been the subject of scrutiny, especially when their results challenge conventional wisdom. While some of these research studies have gained wide acceptance, others have been met with controversy and consternation. In this article, we’ll take a look at the most controversial academic research studies of all time.

The Stanford Prison Experiment: Zimbardo’s Psychological Experiment(1971)

It was the 1970’s, and social psychologists were fascinated by the growing realization that people could adopt new roles and behaviors quite easily, even when it violated their personal beliefs. This astounding revelation inspired Philip Zimbardo—the Stanford professor at the center of the controversial study that would become known as the “Stanford Prison Experiment.”

The Marshmallow Test: Delayed Gratification(1960’s)

The Marshmallow Test is a study on delayed gratification that was conducted decades ago by a group of researchers at Stanford University. They asked preschoolers to choose between having one small reward immediately or receiving two small rewards if they could wait for a short period for the second.

The Bell Curve(1994)

The Bell Curve is a book published – co-authored by Richard J. Herrnstein and Charles Murray – over two decades ago that caused quite a stir in the world of academic research. In The Bell Curve, Herrnstein and Murray attempted to defend their conclusion of the theory of IQ.

The Milgram Experiment: Obedience to Authority(1961)

The Milgram experiment is a psychological experiment in which an individual administered electric shocks that seemed to never end. Participants taking on the role of a member of a study were instructed to progress with such shocks when the ‘buzzer’ getting the Shock screams in agony when the assignment is postponed.

“Using Small Trades to Infer Sentiment and Test Asset Pricing Models”(2008)

In the early summer of 2008, Wayfair was going even better than I had imagined imaginable Selling almost every modestly-priced home-related item imaginable, we experienced double-digit growth unadjusted sales figures every week.

Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment(1932-1972)

The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment lasted over four decades, between 1932 and 1972, lied in body decomposition rates caused by Syphilis. Administratively, it began as an observational study, directed by the US Public Health Service.

Study on Development of Physiological Sex Differences(1970s)

Chiefs and players have reopened the debate about alleged gender inequity in cash incentives they received for World Cup participation as funding cuts loom for their female counterparts. Construction for women’s football will be increased to some extent but cuts are still being discussed.

The Study about Gay Parents produced harmful anti-gay propaganda

Merging ideological conservative skepticism hatred with the well-known peer adoption conspiracy theories written by activists Rev. Glenn Frazier and William Biehl.

Monsanto Studies disconverting environment concerning GMO’s

Z/Z favored Monsanto studies that refute other research studies that found a harmful relationship between the drug and pesticide manufacturer Monsanto and habitat degradation, poor human experiments and co-opted studies that were done specifically to sway health and environmental evaluations pro-company.

The 1950’s Monster Study of Stuttering(1939)

The Famous 1950 Monster-Study was a treatment experiment designed to revolutionize innovative treatment interventions, specifically intending to increase and decrease stuttering nervously when performance is increasing, certainly reducing anxiety and negative affect.

Conclusion

These research studies, as controversial as they were, contributed a great deal of knowledge to their respective fields. It is undeniable that they have also led to much-needed discussions, debates, and discrepancies; some individuals convinced that the findings were flawed, while others argued that the results did not produce anything of significance to people in the real world.