The infamous study highlighted is the Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE), conducted in 1971 by Philip Zimbardo. The research aimed to look into the psychosocial impact of imagined power dynamics around inmates and security personnel. Participants in the SPE were randomly given roles as either detainees or officers in a mock correctional facility (Zimbardo, 2004). However, the experiment rapidly devolved into an extreme and unethical scenario, causing psychological distress to the individuals.
The SPE evidently disregarded ethical guidelines by not applying the APA ethical principle of beneficence. Beneficence is the concept of avoiding harm and promoting prospective advantages while reducing potential harm (Aronson et al., 2022). In this instance, the SPE participants suffered psychological harm that overshadowed any possible scientific gains (Zimbardo, 2004). The scientific evidence from the experiments was gathered on the cost of the participants’ well-being. The test was permitted to continue even though the subjects’ well-being was jeopardized. This is a blatant violation of the beneficence principle.
Regarding scientific and humanitarian benefits, the SPE has undoubtedly added to a deeper comprehension of the power imbalances between prisoners and guards. However, the ethical degree this intelligence could have been acquired is undistinguished. Furthermore, it is still being determined whether the study’s advantages outweigh the harm done to the participants. Human subjects’ well-being should always take precedence over scientific advancement, and in this instance, the harm done to the volunteers exceeded any perceived advantages.
In research ethics, deception is a contentious topic. While deception may sometimes be required to lure participants, academics must strive to be truthful with them (Aronson et al., 2022). Deception can cause participant mistrust and harm; sometimes, it may not be essential to accomplish the research objectives (Aronson et al., 2022). In instances of deception, the APA ethical guidelines require investigators to acquire informed permission from subjects, which is impossible. As a result, before stooping to deception, researchers should always explore multiple strategies.
In conclusion, the Stanford Prison Experiment violated the APA ethical tenet of beneficence by subjecting participants to psychic harm. The study’s advantages do not outweigh the harm done to the participants. While deceit may sometimes be required, scientists should always aim to be candid with their subjects and put their well-being first. Research should continually prioritize ethical concerns, and any probable damage should be mitigated to the greatest extent possible.
References
Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Akert, R. M., & Sommers, S. R. (2022). Chapter 2: Methodology; How Social Psychologists Do Research. Social Psychology, 20–43, (11th ed.). Pearson Education (US).
Zimbardo, P. (2004). Quiet Rage: The Stanford Prison Experiment. [Video/DVD] Stanford, CA: Philip G. Zimbardo and Stanford University. Web.