PhD/PsyD Poorly designed, unethical, quesitonable research in the history of psychology

[calimich]

A prior poster inquired about this topic and it's something our department covers in several courses. There are many many examples, here are ten. Some harder to track down than others:

G. R. Stetson, "Some Memory Tests of Whites and Blacks," Psychological Review 4, (1897): 285-289.

B. A. Phillips, "The Binet Test Applied to Colored Children," Psychological Clinic 8, (1914): 190-196.

E. Jamieson & P. Standiford, "The Mental Capacity of Southern Ontario Indians," Journal of Educational Psychology 19, (1928): 536-551.

V.S. Hunter, "Indian Blood and Otis Intelligence Test," Journal of Comparative Psychology 2, (1922).

J. A. Fitzgerald & W. W. Ludeman,"Intelligence of Indian Children,"Journal of Comparative Psychology 6, (1926).

T. R Garth, "The Will-Temperament of Indians," Journal of Applied Psychology 11, (1927): 512 518.

F. C. Paschal & L. R. Sullivan, “Racial Factors in the Mental and Physical Development of Mexican Children," Comparative Psychology 3, (October 1925): 46-75.

J. H. McFadden & J. F. Dashiell, "Racial Differences as Measured by the Downey Will-Temperament Test," Journal of Applied Psychology 7, (1923)· 30--53.

D. Sunne, "Personality Tests-White and Negro Adolescents,” Journal of Applied Psychology 9, (1925): 256-280.

T. R. Garth, "The Will-Temperament of Indians," Journal of Applied Psychology 11, (1927): 512-518.

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[WisNeuro]

I would also urge people to read some of the "classical" examples of research in the field. Namely, the Milgram study and the Stanford Prison Experiment. If you can, track down the actual studies and results, you'll be amazed at how the interpretation of such studies is vastly different than what the studies actually found.

Concerning the history of intelligence testing and perceived disparities, reading "The Bell Curve" along with the "Mismeasure of Man" can be enlightening. It's a huge undertaking, but it gives you a very detailed history of the notion along with thousands of citations and the like.

 

[calimich]

Yep, those are also great examples, this list is exclusively pre-1930.

 

[WisNeuro]

Ah, fair enough, additionally, if people are interested, there is a decent book "Race, Racism and Psychology: Towards a Reflexive History" that provides a more digestible overview and tries to put some of this work in the sociopolitical context of its time.

 

[ClinicalABA]

For a more recent example unethical and fraudulent research that has had DRAMMATIC negative impacts, take a look at Wakefield's (since redacted) Lancet publication regarding the link between vaccines and autism (as well as at Brian Deers expose on the problems with said publication).

 

[WisNeuro]

For a more recent example unethical and fraudulent research that has had DRAMMATIC negative impacts, take a look at Wakefield's (since redacted) Lancet publication regarding the link between vaccines and autism (as well as at Brian Deers expose on the problems with said publication).

Pssh, you're just in the pocket of Big Pharma, getting kickbacks for all that money they make off vaccines!

 

[ClinicalABA]

Damn, my cover has been blown!

 

[RCCH11]

I would be worth looking at this if you would like a contemporary example. I will let the "panel" decide the ethical implications.

Facebook Manipulated 689,003 Users' Emotions For Science

 

[bcliff]

anything facilitated-communication-related is worth a look for recent/ongoing issues related to psych- research


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[deleted343839]

My favorite "questionable" study to date:

Gallup, G. G., Jr., Burch, R. L., & Platek, S. M. (2002). Does semen have antidepressant properties? Archives of Sexual Behavior, 31, 289-293.