Researchers Must Protect Participants And Be Aware
Instructionsresearchers Must Protect Participants And Be Aware Of Appr
Researchers must protect participants and be aware of appropriate methods for obtaining information. What ethical considerations are important to research? In about 2 pages, write an analysis of the ethical concerns in the 3 diverse psychological research studies below. Be sure to include a paragraph of overall ethical consideration. This paper should be 2-3 pages in length and use APA formatting (cover page, paper body formatting, citations). Prior to submitting your paper, be sure you proofread your work to check your spelling and grammar.
If you use any outside sources, please cite those sources in APA citation format. Haslam, S. A., & Reicher, S. D. (2012). Contesting the 'nature' of conformity: What Milgram and Zimbardo's studies really show. PLoS Biology, 10(11). doi:10.1371/journal.pbio. Larsen, K. S. (1974). Conformity in the Asch experiment. The Journal Of Social Psychology, 94(2). doi:10.1080/.1974. Mischel, W., Ayduk, O., Berman, M. G., Casey, B. J., Gotlib, I. H., Jonides, J., & ... Shoda, Y. (2011). 'Willpower' over the life span: Decomposing self-regulation. Social Cognitive And Affective Neuroscience, 6(2). doi:10.1093/scan/nsq081
Paper For Above instruction
Ethical considerations are fundamental to conducting psychological research responsibly and effectively. Ensuring that participants' rights, well-being, and dignity are protected is paramount. The three studies highlighted—Milgram's obedience experiment, Zimbardo's Stanford prison experiment, and research on self-regulation—each pose unique ethical concerns, which warrant detailed analysis to understand how ethical principles were challenged and the lessons learned for contemporary research practices.
Milgram's Obedience Study
Stanley Milgram's classic obedience experiment aimed to investigate individuals' willingness to obey authority figures when asked to perform actions conflicting with personal morals, such as delivering electric shocks to others. The primary ethical concern in Milgram's study revolved around deception and psychological harm. Participants believed they were administering painful shocks, which caused significant stress and anxiety, raising questions about the morality of deceiving participants about the true nature of the research (Haslam & Reicher, 2012). The ethical dilemma centers on balancing scientific inquiry with the obligation to minimize harm. Today, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) demand thorough debriefing and the avoidance of unnecessary stress, illustrating how ethical standards have evolved to prioritize participant well-being.
Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment
The Stanford prison experiment conducted by Philip Zimbardo sought to examine how situational dynamics influence behavior. Participants were assigned roles as prisoners or guards, leading to rapid escalation of psychological abuse and emotional distress among subjects. The ethical issues here involve lack of adequate intervention, consent, and duress. The experiment demonstrated how situational factors could compromise moral judgment, but it also exposed the ethical risks of role-playing studies that may cause lasting harm. The lack of oversight and immediate response to escalating abuse resulted in ethical violations, prompting reforms in research ethics governing the necessity of safeguarding participants from harm, even in simulated environments (Larsen, 1974).
Self-Regulation and Willpower Studies
Research on self-regulation, such as that by Mischel et al. (2011), largely involves observational and experimental assessments of individuals' capacity for impulse control over the lifespan. These studies often include children and vulnerable populations, raising concerns about consent and long-term impact. Ethical considerations involve ensuring voluntary participation with informed consent and safeguarding participants from psychological discomfort or manipulation. While less intrusive than Milgram or Zimbardo's studies, ethical concerns center on potential coercion, privacy, and accurately informing participants about the scope and purpose of the research. Maintaining transparency and voluntary participation are critical components of ethical research in such cases.
Overall Ethical Considerations
Across these studies, a common thread emerges concerning the importance of balancing scientific advancement with respects for participant autonomy and well-being. Ethical principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, respect for persons, and justice serve as guiding standards. Modern ethical frameworks emphasize informed consent, debriefing, risk minimization, and the right to withdraw without penalty. The historical examples reflect how research ethics have matured in response to the potential harms observed, leading to stricter oversight and ethical safeguards. Researchers today must remain vigilant, ensuring that their methodologies respect participants' dignity and welfare while contributing meaningful insights to psychological science.
Conclusion
In summary, the ethical concerns in Milgram's obedience experiment, Zimbardo's prison study, and self-regulation research underline the necessity of enforcing rigorous ethical standards. While the pursuit of knowledge is vital, safeguarding participants from harm and respecting their autonomy is equally crucial. Modern research practices, guided by institutional review boards and ethical codes, aim to prevent the ethical breaches seen in these foundational studies, ensuring that psychological research advances without compromising moral responsibilities.
References
- Haslam, S. A., & Reicher, S. D. (2012). Contesting the 'nature' of conformity: What Milgram and Zimbardo's studies really show. PLoS Biology, 10(11). doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001419
- Larsen, K. S. (1974). Conformity in the Asch experiment. The Journal of Social Psychology, 94(2). doi:10.1080/00224545.1974.9713672
- Mischel, W., Ayduk, O., Berman, M. G., Casey, B. J., Gotlib, I. H., Jonides, J., & ... Shoda, Y. (2011). 'Willpower' over the life span: Decomposing self-regulation. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 6(2). doi:10.1093/scan/nsq081
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- National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1979). The Belmont Report.
- Benner, P., & Wrubel, J. (1989). The primacy of caring: Stress and coping in health and illness. Addison-Wesley.