This Famous Study Lacked Oversight

Active with Psychologists for Social Responsibility, Robert Fettgather, PhD, is interested in the intersections between psychology and religion. Dr. Robert Fettgather has also served as a stress management trainer, certified by the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing. A resident of Grass Valley, California, Robert Fettgather is an associate faculty member at Mission College in Santa Clara.

Imagine a research project which involved recruiting college students who were randomly assigned to act as either prisoners or guards in a simulated prison setting. The participants were instructed to take on their roles for a two-week period. What transpired within just a few days shocked the researchers and exposed a series of ethical issues. One of the most significant ethical problems with the Stanford Prison Experiment was the lack of informed consent. Participants were not adequately informed about the possible psychological and emotional distress that they might experience during the study. This lack of transparency made it impossible for them to make a fully informed decision about their participation

The Stanford Prison Experiment suffered from a lack of independent oversight. Philip Zimbardo himself took on the role of prison superintendent, and his involvement may have contributed to a lack of objectivity and the perpetuation of unethical conditions within the study.

The Stanford Prison Experiment has had a lasting impact on the field of psychology and research ethics. It has raised questions about the balance between the pursuit of knowledge and the well-being of research participants. In response to the ethical issues it highlighted, research institutions have established stringent guidelines and ethical review boards to ensure that future studies prioritize the safety and well-being of participants.

As researchers continue to grapple with the ethical challenges it raised, the study serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to strict ethical standards in all human research endeavors.

Stress In Daily Life

Robert Fettgather is a co-founder of Tashi Lhunpo Buddhist Sangha in Palo Alto, California. A student of Buddhism and a teacher of psychology, he  engages in a daily meditation practice. Robert Fettgather loves many relaxing outdoor hobbies like houseboating, camping, and hiking. Certified in stress management from the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing, Robert Fettgather is interested in relaxation techniques.

Stress is the term used to describe our response across domains (physical, cognitive, and psychosocial) to events that are perceived as challenging or threatening. Consider these two response types: when a person’s stress response is unpleasant or undesirable it is referred to as distress, but when it is an optimal response that helps a person function better it is called eustress. In other words, bad stress and good stress.

The events that trigger stress are called stressors and they can be either internal or external events/conditions. Stressors can include external events such as catastrophes, major life changes, and hassles, along with internal experiences such as pressure, uncontrollability, and frustration.

A catastrophe is an unpredictable event that strikes on a large, even massive scale such as a tornado or flood. Catastrophes are one cause of an anxiety disorder referred to as acute stress disorder (ASD) in which a person has recurring nightmares, sleep dysfunction, and flashbacks of the traumatic episode. When the symptoms of ASD endure for more than a one month period, the disorder is then referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

While trauma is a major type of stress, a number of researchers have suggested that any major life change, such as moving, getting married, getting a new job, would also result in stress. Holmes and Rahe developed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) to measure the amount of major life change and thus stress in a person’s life

There are two additional internal causes of stress that you are no doubt familiar with. The first is uncontrollability, or a lack of control in a given situation; the second is frustration, or being blocked from achieving a desired objective. Common responses  to frustration include  functional persistence, annoyance and aggression, or even actions with the intention to harm. Displaced aggression redirects frustrations toward a more available and less threatening target.  Another possible response to the experience of frustration might be to withdraw or escape from the situation. Employing relaxation strategies like progressive relaxation or basic exercise can help reduce the experience of stress.

 

A Promising Means for The Treatment Of Trauma

Robert Fettgather, Ph.D. is a counselor, educator, writer and activist residing in Grass Valley, California.  He holds a doctorate in psychology and master degrees in both psychology and education. 

Dr. Robert Fettgather has served as Special Consultant in psychometrics to the Departments of Education and Developmental Disabilities for the State of California. He holds a specialist credential in learning handicapped and community college credentials in both learning and developmental disabilities. Robert Fettgather is interested in innovative ways to treat mental distress. 

LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and mescaline.  Researchers do not know exactly how or why psychedelics work in healing mental illness. They may create a kind of brain reset  introducing a new perspective as they alter neurotransmitter levels. Or perhaps like some indigenous tribes, a mystical and peak experience sets in. Some studies have suggested that psychedelic-assisted therapy can provide rapid and sustained relief from certain mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Patients often report significant improvements in their symptoms after just a few sessions, with effects lasting for weeks or even months.

Psychedelics have the potential to induce a shift in perspective and a sense of interconnectedness with the world. This can lead to increased feelings of purpose, connectedness, and spirituality, which may benefit individuals struggling with existential or identity-related issues.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy represents a promising and evolving approach to treating mental disorders. Its potential benefits, such as enhanced therapeutic insights, rapid relief, and reduced reliance on medication, make it an exciting avenue for further exploration.

The Great Outdoors

Located in Grass Valley, California, Robert Fettgather has served as a member of the associate faculty at Mission College in Santa Clara since 1983. He has taught several courses, including developmental psychology and abnormal psychology. When he is not teaching students, Robert Fettgather enjoys the outdoors.

The United States faces several pressing environmental concerns that have far-reaching consequences for its ecosystems, public health, and future sustainability. Climate change is a global crisis, and the United States is not immune to its effects. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise threaten communities, infrastructure, and natural ecosystems.

Shifting away from fossil fuels and embracing renewable energy sources like solar and wind power is crucial. Investing in green technology and supporting clean energy policies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Enhancing energy efficiency in industries, transportation, and buildings can reduce energy consumption and lower emissions. Promoting energy-efficient appliances, vehicles, and construction practices is essential. Strengthening environmental regulations and enforcing them rigorously can reduce industrial emissions and limit contaminants in water bodies. It is essential to hold polluters accountable for their actions.

By transitioning to clean energy, addressing pollution, and prioritizing habitat conservation, the U.S. can work towards a more sustainable future