Question

What questions about the Milgram experiment did critics raise? How are today's experiments restricted in regards to ethics?

Short answer

Criticisms of the Milgram experiment include deception, high stress on participants, and lack of general difference. Current experiments are restricted by ethical principles which ensure informed consent, protection from harm, limited use of deception, confidentiality, and the participant's right to withdraw from the experiment at any point.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Milgram experiment

The first step is learning about the Milgram experiment. Psychologist Stanley Milgram designed this experiment. Participants were asked to deliver electric shocks to another person. Unbeknownst to the participants, the receiver of these shocks was an actor. The experiment observed how far people would go in obeying an instruction if it involved harming another person.

Identify the criticisms

The Milgram experiment drew significant criticism. The primary reasons being: \n 1. Deception: Participants were misled, believing they were administering real shocks. This raised questions about informed consent. \n 2. Stress: The experiment placed participants in a very stressful situation which could potentially have long-term psychological effects. \n 3. Lack of generalizability: The participant sample consisted mainly of male volunteers which may not represent wider society.

Understand modern ethical restrictions

Today's psychological experiments must adhere to strict ethical guidelines. These include: \n 1. Informed consent: Participants must know what the experiment entails and agree to it. \n 2. Protection from harm: Experiments should not cause physical or psychological harm. \n 3. Deception: If deception is used, it must be justified and cause no harm. Debriefing is required afterwards. \n 4. Confidentiality: Participants' information must be kept private. \n 5. Right to withdraw: Participants can leave the study at any time.

Key concepts

Ethical Guidelines in Psychology

Ethics in psychology are like a safety net, ensuring that all research is carried out in a way that respects and protects participants. Over the years, ethical guidelines have evolved to become crucial in conducting psychological research. These guidelines ensure that the welfare of the participants is the top priority.
Psychological research must adhere to principles such as respect, integrity, and responsibility. Researchers must plan their studies to avoid physical and psychological harm to participants. There are also rules about how data is collected, stored, and shared.
Some key ethical guidelines include:

• Obtaining informed consent from participants.
• Providing the right to withdraw from studies at any time.
• Ensuring confidentiality and privacy of participants' data.
• Debriefing participants and explaining any deception used.

These guidelines help maintain trust between researchers and participants, making psychology a respected and reliable field of study.

Deception in Psychological Research

Deception can be a tricky subject in psychological studies. It involves misleading or not fully informing participants about the true nature of the experiment. While it might sound questionable, deception is sometimes necessary for obtaining genuine reactions and behavior that cannot be observed if participants know what is being studied.
In the Milgram experiment, deception was a core aspect as participants believed they were delivering real shocks. This raised an ethical dilemma. How far can a researcher go in keeping the truth from participants?
Modern ethical guidelines address deception strictly:

• Deception should only be used if it's crucial for the study.
• It must not lead to harm or distress.
• Participants should be debriefed afterwards, explaining the actual study conducted and any deception involved.

Using deception responsibly ensures the validity of research while protecting the participants' rights.

Informed Consent

Informed consent is like giving participants a road map before they embark on the journey of a psychological study. It means that participants fully understand what they are agreeing to when they take part in research.
This process involves explaining the study's goals, procedures, potential risks, and their rights as participants. This ensures transparency and allows the participants to make informed decisions about their involvement.
Some important aspects of informed consent include:

• Clear, jargon-free explanations of the study's aim and methods.
• Outlining any potential risks or discomforts.
• Informing participants that they can withdraw at any time without penalty.

Getting informed consent respects the autonomy of participants and keeps the research ethical and responsible.

Psychological Harm in Experiments

Psychological harm in experiments is a major ethical concern. It refers to emotional or mental distress that participants might experience during or after a study. The Milgram experiment highlighted this as participants felt immense stress and anxiety believing they were harming others.
Modern research ethics prioritizes minimizing any form of harm to participants. Studies should be designed to avoid causing long-lasting psychological effects.
Here are key points to consider:

• Conducting thorough risk assessments before the study.
• Implementing measures to reduce stress levels during research.
• Offering support and counseling if a participant experiences distress.

Psychoogical well-being is vital, and researchers must always consider participants' mental health to uphold ethical standards.