Studies may be justified on the grounds of what we learn, e.g. Milgram – the dangers of 'blind obedience'
Validity
Deception/lack of informed consent justified as demand characteristics are reduced, e.g. in Asch; would be difficult to investigate processes such as obedience without deception
Use of debriefing in studies
Retrospective consent, psychiatric follow-up assessments, etc.; participants confirmed they were happy to have taken part, etc.
Counterarguments/discussion points related to specific studies
Zimbardo's study led to reform of real prisons; Milgram awarded prize by APA
Research was conducted at a time when ethical guidelines had not been established
Studies could be argued to have led to introduction of guidelines which protected future participants
