Consider These Landmark Studies In Psychology ✓ Solved

Consider These Landmark Studies In The Field Of Psychology Mentioned I

Consider these landmark studies in the field of psychology mentioned in this video linked here. Do you think they would be considered unethical today? What ethical issues stand out as possible concerns to you? Research more about these studies, or one of the others found in the resource link above, and create a PowerPoint presentation (or other) covering possible ethical concerns while also citing the relevant principles and standards of the ethics code. Use references from this module and include APA in-text citations.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Consider These Landmark Studies In The Field Of Psychology Mentioned I

Consider These Landmark Studies In The Field Of Psychology Mentioned I

Psychology has been shaped by numerous landmark studies that have significantly contributed to our understanding of human behavior, cognition, and emotions. However, many of these studies, conducted in different historical contexts, pose important ethical considerations when evaluated through modern standards. This paper explores whether these classic studies would be considered unethical today and discusses the ethical concerns associated with them, emphasizing the principles outlined in the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

Historical Landmark Studies and Their Ethical Challenges

One of the most famous studies in psychology is the Stanford Prison Experiment conducted by Philip Zimbardo in 1971. The experiment sought to examine the psychological effects of perceived power within a simulated prison environment. Participants were randomly assigned roles of prisoners and guards, and the study rapidly escalated to abusive behaviors among the guards, leading to psychological distress among prisoners. Today, such an experiment would face severe ethical scrutiny due to violations of principles related to informed consent, protection from harm, and the right to withdraw (McLeod, 2018). The lack of adequate safeguards and the authoritarian role of the experimenter arguably compromised the participants’ well-being, making it ethically questionable in contemporary research contexts.

Another landmark study is Milgram’s obedience experiment (1961), which investigated the extent to which individuals would follow authority figures by administering electric shocks to a perceived learner. Participants believed they were causing real pain, yet they were deceived about the nature of the experiment. The study raised serious ethical concerns regarding deception, psychological distress, and the obligation to debrief participants thoroughly (Burger, 2009). Modern ethical standards emphasize the importance of minimizing deception and ensuring participants' well-being, which would likely render this study unethical today unless significant modifications were made.

Ethical Principles and Modern Standards

The core principles from the APA Ethical Guidelines include respect for persons, beneficence, justice, and fidelity and responsibility. Respect for persons involves obtaining informed consent and respecting participants’ autonomy. Beneficence dictates that researchers maximize benefits and minimize harm. Justice requires equitable selection of participants, and fidelity pertains to maintaining trust and integrity in research (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Applying these principles, many classic studies reveal ethical lapses, particularly regarding informed consent, deception, and psychological harm. For instance, while deception might sometimes be justified when necessary, it must be accompanied by debriefing and ensuring no lasting harm occurs (Pew Research Center, 2017). As research standards evolved, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and stricter ethical reviews were instituted to prevent these lapses and protect participants' rights.

Potential Ethical Concerns and Modern Revisions

If these landmark studies were conducted today, researchers would need to implement rigorous informed consent procedures, closely monitor participant well-being, and ensure transparent debriefings. The use of deception would be heavily scrutinized, and unless justified with minimal risk and substantial scientific benefit, it might be deemed unethical (Jennings & Franks, 2020). The role of IRBs is crucial in reviewing study protocols to ensure adherence to ethical standards and protect participant rights.

Conclusion

While landmark studies like the Stanford Prison Experiment and Milgram’s obedience studies have contributed significantly to psychology, they also highlight the importance of ethical considerations in research. Many of these studies would not meet modern ethical standards due to issues related to informed consent, deception, and harm. Moving forward, psychologists must balance scientific inquiry with ethically responsible practices, ensuring the dignity, rights, and safety of research participants are preserved in compliance with established standards.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
  • Burger, J. M. (2009). Replicating Milgram: Would people still obey today? American Psychologist, 64(1), 1–11.
  • Jennings, M., & Franks, B. (2020). Ethical considerations in modern psychological research. In S. Smith (Ed.), Contemporary Issues in Psychology (pp. 45–67). Routledge.
  • McLeod, S. (2018). The Stanford prison experiment. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/stanford-prison-experiment.html
  • Milgram, S. (1961). Behavioral study of obedience. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(4), 371–378.
  • Pew Research Center. (2017). Ethical research practices in social science. https://www.pewresearch.org

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