If a question must be answered that has significant negative psychological impact on the subject, such as in the Stanford prison study, is it more ethical to use human or animal subjects?
Answered last night:
http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1326854705
It depends on whose ethics you are using. The value of the knowledge gained from the study needs to be balanced with the potential harm to the subjects. Animal lovers might disagree with Ms.Sue's response, seeing many studies as animal cruelty.
Also, I doubt if you could get any results from animals that could simulate the responses of humans in Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Study.
When it comes to conducting research that might have negative psychological impacts on the subjects, the ethical considerations become even more crucial. Both human and animal subjects have their own sets of ethical concerns, so determining which is more ethical can be subjective and dependent on the specific circumstances. Here are some key points to consider:
1. Human Subjects: When using human subjects, researchers need to follow strict ethical guidelines, such as obtaining informed consent, ensuring privacy and confidentiality, minimizing potential harm, and providing debriefing after the study. However, exposing humans to significant negative psychological impacts can raise concerns about causing distress, long-term psychological harm, and trading off participants' well-being for the scientific knowledge gained.
2. Animal Subjects: The use of animal subjects in research usually involves less potential for psychological harm, since animals are not capable of experiencing complex psychological states like humans. However, ethical concerns arise regarding the treatment of animals. Researchers should follow strict protocols to minimize suffering and ensure that animal use is necessary, justifiable, and contributes to advancing knowledge.
Ultimately, the choice between using human or animal subjects for research involving significant negative psychological impacts should involve a thorough ethical evaluation by a research ethics committee or review board. They consider factors like the potential benefits of the research, the availability of alternative methods, the extent of potential harm, and the ethical principles used in the specific field of study. The goal should always be to strike a balance between scientific progress and the well-being and welfare of the subjects involved.