week 6 applied professional project

Sample Solution

The Stanford Prison Experiment and Ethical Concerns

What is the Stanford Prison Experiment?

The Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted in 1971 by Philip Zimbardo, aimed to investigate the effects of roles and situations on human behavior. College students were randomly assigned roles as either "guards" or "prisoners" in a simulated prison environment. The experiment was intended to last two weeks, but it was abruptly halted after only six days due to the escalation of aggressive and abusive behavior by the guards towards the prisoners.

Would such an experiment be allowed today?

Highly unlikely. The ethical concerns surrounding the experiment are severe and would likely prevent its approval today. The experiment subjected participants to psychological distress and potential harm, violating their autonomy and well-being. Additionally, the lack of informed consent and clear debriefing procedures further raises ethical concerns.

Full Answer Section

Alternative experiment design:

• Focus on simulations or role-playing exercises: These could explore similar concepts without subjecting participants to real-life psychological distress.
• Longitudinal observational studies: Observing real-world interactions within existing power dynamics (e.g., military units, correctional facilities) could provide valuable insights while prioritizing ethical considerations.
• Use of virtual reality: Utilizing VR simulations could create immersive experiences without the same ethical concerns as physical simulations.

Protecting participant safety:

• Comprehensive informed consent: Participants must fully understand the potential risks and benefits of participating.
• Right to withdraw: Participants must have the right to withdraw at any point without penalty.
• Rigorous debriefing procedures: Participants must be debriefed thoroughly to address any psychological impact and ensure their well-being.
• Independent ethical review board: An independent board should evaluate and approve the experiment, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines.

Learning from the abandoned experiment:

Despite its ethical flaws, the Stanford Prison Experiment did offer some insights, albeit limited and controversial. It highlighted the potential for situational factors and assigned roles to influence behavior, even in seemingly ordinary individuals. However, these findings need to be interpreted cautiously, considering the experiment's limitations and ethical concerns.

Ethical problems and critique:

The experiment undeniably had significant ethical problems. Subjecting participants to psychological harm, violating their autonomy, and lacking informed consent are major concerns. Critics argue that the experiment's findings are unreliable due to its ethical shortcomings and question the generalizability of its conclusions.

Conclusion:

The Stanford Prison Experiment remains a controversial case study in research ethics. While it offered some insights, its ethical violations cannot be overlooked. Moving forward, research seeking to understand human behavior must prioritize ethical considerations, protecting participant well-being and adhering to strict ethical guidelines.