The discussion focuses on the ethical issues surrounding Milgram's study, particularly the biases present due to the all-male subject sample and the research practices of the time involving deception. It highlights that modern ethical standards would protect vulnerable populations involved in such studies, including marginalized groups and individuals lacking the capacity for informed consent. References are provided to support the points made regarding ethical principles and research safeguards.

1. 3/17/2019 Thread: Discussion 1 - Week 11 – DPSY-6111-1/DPSY-5111-1...
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RE: Discussion 1 - Week 11
1 month ago
Orlanda Haynes
Milgram’s Study: Ethical Issues
Being mindful that Milgram’s study occurred during a period-in-time when research practices involving elements of
deception such as withholding relevant information or distorting facts were commonplace (McLeod, 2007).
Nonetheless, one could successfully argue that the study had limitations due to bias; in part, because all subjects
were males (McLeod, 2007; Newman, & Newman, 2016).
Personal Perspectives
As to what one would have done given the same era and the same context would depend ,largely, on one’s ethical
and moral beliefs, as well as personal factors such as career advancement and career recognition (e.g., among
colleagues). That said (today) some subjects in Milgram’s study such as marginalized unskilled worker would be
protected against research exploitation under the classification of vulnerable population, which also includes
potential subjects who lack physical or cognitive abilities to make informed choices such as adolescents, some
seniors, and some ethnic minorities in terms of English language deficiencies (Fisher, & VacantiShova, 2012;
Society for Research in Child Development, 2007).
References
Fisher, C. B., & Vacanti-Shova, K. (2012). The responsible conduct of psychological research: An overview of
ethical principles, APA Ethics Code standards, and federal regulations. In S. J. Knapp, M. C. Gottlieb, M. M.
Handelsman, & L. D. VandeCreek (Eds.), APA handbook of ethics in psychology, Vol 2: Practice, teaching, and
research. (pp. 335– 369). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. https://doiorg.
ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1037/13272-016
McLeod, S. (2007). The Milgram experiments. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/bobo-doll.html
Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R. (2016). Theories of human development (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Psychology
Press/Taylor & Francis.
Shivayogi P. (2013). Vulnerable population and methods for their safeguard. Perspectives in clinical
research , 4(1), pp. 53-7. doi: 10.4103/2229-3485.106389
Society for Research in Child Development.(2007). Ethical standards in research. Retrieved from
http://www.srcd.org/aboutus/ ethical-standards-research