Ethics and Psychological Research Psychology Ch. 1 The Science of Psychology

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up: Advertised on campus for volunteers to help with research on “the effects of punishment on learning.” “Teachers” and “Students” were teamed up- asked to memorize pairs of words.

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up: The “Teacher” was placed at a desk- reading words into a microphone. In the next room the “Student” was placed in a chair and wired with electrodes. There was lab assistant present to monitor the research.

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up: The “Teacher” read a word and the “Student” would answer with the corresponding word they had studied. If the “Student” gave the wrong answer the “Teacher” was asked to press a button on a generator giving the “Student” a shock.

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up: The shock generator was labeled from 15 volts / “slight shock” to 450 volts / “XXX”. The shocks increased in intensity with each wrong answer. No answer counts as a wrong answer.

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up: If the “Teacher” refused to continue or questioned the experiment- they were reminded to continue. Responses: “The Experiment requires that you continue.” “You have no other choice, you must continue.”

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up:

Actual Study on Obedience: Milgram interested in unquestioning obedience to orders Obedience compliance of person is due to perceived authority of asker request is perceived as a command

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up: Basic study procedure Teacher and learner (learner always confederate) Watch learner being strapped into chair Learner expresses concern over his “heart condition” Teacher (S) goes to another room with experimenter Shock generator panel – 15 to 450 volts, labels “slight shock” to “XXX” Teacher (S) asked by Experimenter (E) to give higher shocks for every mistake Learner (A) makes.

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up: How many people would go to the highest shock level? Milgram predicted 1% would go to the 450 volts. Two-Thirds (26 out of 40) of the subjects went to the end, even those that protested Those that did stop, not one stopped before the 300-volt level.

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up: Explanations for Milgram’s Results Abnormal group of subjects? Numerous replications with variety of groups shows no support Milgram’s study has been repeated many times in the United States and other countries with identical results People in general are sadistic? videotapes of Milgram’s subjects show extreme distress Socialization – We learn from childhood to obey authority figures. The teacher in the study was seen as an authority figure. Foot in the Door Effect – Once someone says yes to a minor request they will keep saying yes to slowly escalating requests. Confusion About Attitudes – As the situation got more disturbing the person is more likely to become confused about their own beliefs. Buffers - The physical and psychological separation from the learner made it easier to follow orders

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up: Critiques of Milgram Although 84% later said they were glad to have participated and fewer than 2% said they were sorry, there are still ethical issues Do these experiments really help us understand real-world atrocities?

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up: Were Milgram’s Obedience experiments ethical? Attacked for the emotional stress, tension, and loss of dignity experienced by the subjects Milgram suggested that what was disturbing to people were not so much his methods but his results Follow-ups of Milgram’s subjects indicate that a large majority were glad to have taken part in the experiment and had no signs of harm or traumatic reaction

1963 Stanley Milgram “Learning Experiment” Set Up: Summary: Milgram demonstrated convincingly that situational influences can lead most people to obey the commands of an authority. Although this finding is well- known, the controversy surrounding the Milgram experiments is equally well-known. There are pros and cons to these studies. We learned, for example, a compelling and undeniable lesson about human behavior; however, the participants in those studies learned an undeniable (and not altogether flattering) lesson about themselves. Should these experiments have been conducted? Should the participants have placed in this position?

1953- APA Code of Ethics -continually assessed and updated. - to ensure that participants are adequately protected. The APA code requires that researchers obtain informed consent from participants and stipulates that: Participants must be informed of the nature of research in clearly understandable language. Informed consent must be documented. Risks, possible adverse effects, and limitations on confidentiality must be spelled out in advance. Participants cannot be deceived about aspects of the research that would affect their willingness to participate, such as risks or unpleasant emotional experiences. Deception about the goals of t he research can be used only when absolutely necessary to the integrity of the research.

What about research on Animals? How do you feel about the use of animals for medical research? Discuss handout from yesterday

What about research on Animals? What are the ethical questions?

What about research on Animals? What are the ethical questions? Consider: Animal suffering “in ways which are unnatural to them” Animals are “purpose-bred and would not even exist if it were not for the researchers.” Is the research necessary? Are the tests reliable? Could computer models be as affective?

What about research on Animals? Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) at the NIH has regulatory guidelines: Scientists experienced in lab animal medicine Is the research relevant? Budgets consider all animal needs- cost of food, etc. Animals may not be breed on site.

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Office of Extramural Research National Institute of Health (NIH) Grants Policy Policy & Guidance Compliance & Oversight Research Involving Human Subjects Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) Animals in Research Peer Review Policies & Practices Intellectual Property Policy Invention Reporting (iEdison) NIH Public Access Research Integrity

What about research on Animals? Animal Use: 1. Use of animal for parts (organs)- killed without pain. 2. Animals will feel pain- acute vs. chronic 3. Treat animals “inhumanely”

What about research on Animals? Every drug must be tested in at least 1 rodent study and 1 non-rodent (large animal- rabbit, dog and in rare cases monkeys). A problem in documentation or research findings may cost a facility their funding.

Government Agencies: NIH- National Institute of Health NIMH- National Institute of Mental Health NCI- National Cancer Institute NIA&ID- National institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases

Examples of research where Helen DeVos Children's Hospital has been involved include: Surfactant for premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed Platinum-based chemotherapy for testicular and other cancers Lasers for coronary artery treatment More than 90 percent of Grand Rapids area clinical studies are connected to Spectrum Health. Our department offers: 50-plus employees 250 physician investigators 800 open studies Our focus includes translational research-the development of laboratory discoveries into potential diagnostic tools, drugs or medical devices. We also are proud of our innovative collaborations with other West Michigan research organizations including studies at the nearby. Spectrum Health research experience includes the following areas: Phase I, II, III and IV drug and device trials Local, multi-center, national and international trials Federally funded grant studies Non-federally funded grant studies Emergency/expanded use protocols Investigator-initiated studies Clinical outcomes research Investigational new drug or device (IND) applications Humanitarian device exemption (HDE) applications

What about research on Animals?

Animal Rights? Research vs. PETA This debate raises the question of whether the benefits of animal research outweighs the moral costs.

Animal Rights? On one hand are animal-rights advocates who allege inhumane treatment of laboratory animals and argue that the welfare of humans should not be placed above that of animals. On the other hand are researchers and scientists who argue that animal research is necessary and beneficial for society and that strict laws and guidelines are in place to protect laboratory animals.

Homework You are making the decisions for the Animal Use and care Committee. On separate paper- do you approve or not approve of this research and please explain your choices. Due Thursday.