TEACHSOC: Re: Human Behavior Experiments Documentary

[Del Thomas Ph D]

Thank you Jan, I raised these questions because some of the in class race exercises resulted in what I would call the Zimbardo effect. Students discriminating in class whether the discrimination is based on hair color....or whatever could have unintended as well as unmeasured learning.   We are very likely reinforcing the discrimination behavior..... is it R- or R+.  That would likely vary from student to student within the same class.  Can we expand subject to participants?  Should students receive "ethical" treatment. I would agree that the Zimbardo experiment lasted too long.  However, I would see that as a error (judgment?) more than ethical issue.  What were they thinking???????   Sadder still we as a society have not stopped this treatment of the "lower participants" in schools, prisons, hospitals, etc.,  in the real world. Some studies require blindness.  How should this be handled with regard to implied consent and deception? Should students be told how and by whom the texts they purchase have been vetted? Del Jan Buhrmann wrote: 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 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Teaching Sociology" group. To post to this group, send email to teachsoc@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/teachsoc -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---