Del:
Both studies illustrate the importance of 1) informed consent of research
subjects; 2) the critical issue of deception in social research; and 3) the
importance of thorough and timely debriefing of research subjects.
The Milgram study did virtually no debriefing of subjects, employed a high
degree of deception with subjects, and did not inform the subjects adequately
about the nature of the study. The Zimbardo study did a better job of both
informed consent, as well as thorough and timely debriefing of subjects, but
allowed the experiment to continue far longer than was in the best interest of
the research subjects, causing more harm (according to Zimbardo himself) than
was necessary.
There is a fairly recent remake of the Milgram experiment on video
("Obedience," Insight Media, 1996), that I show to my classes. It's short,
but very much to the point. It ends rather abruptly, but for this reason
makes an excellent 'jumping off point' for a more thorough discussion of the
importance of social scientists using all precautions to conduct their
research ethically and humanely. In addition, the updated video of the
Zimbardo study ("Quiet Rage," Stanford Institutional Television Network)
includes an interview with Phillip Zimbardo just a few years ago where he
recounts the ethical implications of his earlier experiment.
Hope this is helpful,
- Jan Buhrmann
==============================
Jan Buhrmann, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Illinois College
1101 W. College Ave
Jacksonville, IL 62650
(217)245-3877
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>===== Original Message From Del Thomas Ph D <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> =====
>Jan,
>
>What do these two studies have to do with ethics in research?
>
>Del
>
>Jan Buhrmann wrote:
>> These two experiments are also useful for illustrating and teaching about
>> ethics (or the lack thereof) in social research.
>>
>> Thanks for sharing this information on tonight's program!
>>
>> - Jan Buhrmann
>>
>> ==========================
>> Jan Buhrmann, Ph.D.
>> Assistant Professor
>> Department of Sociology
>> Illinois College
>> (217)245-3877
>> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> ===== Original Message From "Klein, Lloyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
=====
>>> Anyone engaged in teaching the topic of obedience and social control may
want
>>>
>> to check out a documentary screening on both Court TV and the Sundance
Channel
>> tonight at 10 eastern time (adjust for your own time zone). The Human
>> Behavior Experiments documentary focuses on the Milgram and Zimbardo
>> experiments. As you may know, the Zimbardo prison experiment was cited as
an
>> explanation of the behavior at Abu Ghraib. Zimbardo offers more information
on
>> his own website. In addition, the documentary covers an infamous incident
at
>> a McDonald's restaurant in Mt. Washington, Kentucky. Other cases are also
>> cited. For more information, check out a rather informative television
review
>> in today's edition of the New York Times.
>>
>>> Lloyd Klein
>>>
>>
>>
>> >
>>
>>
>
>
>
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