Using Role-Play to Enhance Critical Thinking about Ethics in Psychology

Abstract

In this chapter, I describe a highly structured, student-centered role-play activity. Before coming to class, students read about the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. They then work cooperatively in small groups to decide on how to collectively portray the role of their assigned character from the study. Each group then presents their character\u27s testimonial at a tribunal, with the aim of clarifying the injustices that occurred during the study. The activity is designed to foster collaboration and communication skills and to encourage students to think critically about how this historical study violated ethical standards for conducting research with human subjects. Assessment data suggest that the activity deepens students\u27 understanding about the significance of the study and the purpose of giving informed consent as a research participant