Question

In essay format, and in your own words, describe what was ethically wrong with the Zimbardo experiment. Within your essay, discuss what the experiment entailed and how the ethical principles of research were ignored. Lastly, looking to the lecture and book, discuss the IRB and how they could have made a difference as well as the major policy changes that came about as a result of this experiment and others like it.

Answer 1

Title: Ethical Issues in the Zimbardo Experiment: A Breakdown of Research Principles

Introduction:
The Zimbardo experiment, also known as the Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by psychologist Philip Zimbardo in 1971, aimed to investigate the impact of perceived power dynamics within a simulated prison environment. Despite its significant contributions to understanding human behavior, the experiment was marred by numerous ethical violations. This essay highlights the ethical wrongdoings in the experiment and discusses how the principles of research ethics were disregarded, while also exploring the role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in preventing such ethical lapses.

Experiment Description:
The Zimbardo experiment involved the recruitment of volunteers who were randomly assigned either the role of prisoners or guards within a simulated prison environment. The research initially intended to last for two weeks but was abruptly terminated after only six days due to the extreme psychological distress experienced by the participants. The guards, prompted by the absence of oversight and rules, began displaying sadistic behavior, while the prisoners endured severe emotional and psychological abuse. The experiment sought to examine how people adapt to specific social roles, but the treatment of participants led to severe ethical concerns.

Ethical Principles Ignored:
1. Informed Consent: The Zimbardo experiment failed to obtain informed consent from participants. They were not fully informed about the potential psychological and emotional harm they might experience, which prevented them from making an autonomous decision to participate.

2. Protection from Harm: Participants were subjected to severe psychological distress and potentially lasting emotional trauma. The guards' sadistic behavior, marked by humiliation and degradation, violated the principle of protecting participants from harm.

3. Deception: Participants were misled about the nature and magnitude of the experiment. They believed they were partaking in a mere prison simulation, unaware of how the situation would spiral into an abusive environment. This deception is considered ethically reprehensible in research.

4. Confidentiality: The participants' anonymity and confidentiality were compromised as the experiment gained public attention, leading to potential stigmatization and psychological distress that persisted even after its conclusion.

The Role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB):
The IRB is an essential regulatory body responsible for ensuring the ethical conduct of research involving human subjects. While the Zimbardo experiment was conducted before more stringent regulations were in place, the presence of an IRB could have made a significant difference. An IRB would have scrutinized the experimental design, ensuring the protection of participant rights through a rigorous review process and addressing ethical concerns prior to the onset of the study.

Policy Changes Resulting from the Experiment:
The ethical controversy surrounding the Zimbardo experiment served as a catalyst for major policy changes within the field of psychological research. The American Psychological Association (APA) revised its ethical guidelines to ensure the protection of participant welfare, emphasizing the importance of informed consent, minimizing harm, and actively monitoring participants throughout the research process. The Zimbardo experiment continues to be referenced as a historical example of how not to conduct psychological research, serving as a reminder of the consequences when ethical principles are disregarded.

Conclusion:
The Zimbardo experiment's ethical violations were glaring, representing a significant departure from recognized research principles. Failing to obtain informed consent, subjecting participants to severe harm, employing deception, and compromising confidentiality all demonstrate how the experiment transgressed basic ethical boundaries. The incident underscores the importance of an involved IRB and subsequent policy changes as vital safeguards to prevent the occurrence of similar ethical lapses, highlighting the lasting impact this experiment had on the field of psychological research.