PSYC207 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Likert Scale, Construct Validity, Syphilis

• School: University of Delaware
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC207
• Professor: Eric Splan

Document Summary

Alabama (40 years: 1932- 1972: 600 men infected with syphilis, 200 men without syphilis. Study of the effects of untreated syphilis on men"s health o(cid:448)e(cid:396) the lo(cid:374)g te(cid:396)(cid:373), (cid:271)e(cid:272)ause current treatments were ineffective and risky. Treated as experimental subjects rather than patients. Withheld information about illness status: (cid:862)bad blood. (cid:863) Lied about suppl(cid:455)i(cid:374)g (cid:862)spe(cid:272)ial f(cid:396)ee treatment. (cid:863: painful, invasive procedures. Withheld/denied treatment (penicillin- 1943) proven to cure syphilis. Three kinds of ethics violations (tuskegee syphilis study) The men were not treated respectfully: lied about the nature of study, withheld information (illness status and cure), no informed consent, coercion with money. The men were harmed: dangerous tests, not treatment given. The researchers targeted a disadvantaged social group: syphilis affects all ethnicities and social backgrounds, but study targeted low. Extreme-stress and anxiety-inducing: continue to shock unresponsive learner until 450-volts. Potential lasting harmful effects: debriefing may not have helped. Balancing risk to participants vs. benefits of knowledge.