Meeting Expectations

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Questions and Answers

What is the trolley problem and who created it?

The trolley problem is a thought experiment in ethics that presents a moral dilemma involving choosing between the lesser of two evils. It was created by British philosopher Philippa Foot in 1967.

How does the trolley problem relate to autonomous vehicles?

The trolley problem relates to autonomous vehicles as it raises the ethical question of how these vehicles should be programmed to make decisions in situations where harm is inevitable, such as choosing between hitting two people or swerving to hit one person.

What ethical considerations are raised by putting people in a traumatic experience to study human nature?

Putting people in traumatic experiences to study human nature raises ethical considerations related to informed consent, potential harm, and the boundaries of research ethics. It also raises questions about the validity and necessity of such studies in understanding human behavior.

What was motivating Elsa's decision to switch the tracks?

Elsa's motivation to switch the tracks was to save more lives, even though she wasn't sure if it was the right decision. Signup and view all the answers

What were the common reactions observed when participants were confronted with the scenario of having to switch the tracks to save lives?

The common reactions observed were feelings of anxiety, paralysis, and a tendency to look for others to take control. Most participants did not take deliberate action to switch the tracks. Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the forms of attribution expressed by the participants for not taking action to switch the tracks?

Some participants expressed forms of attribution by assuming that the workers would notice the train, that the train probably had sensors, or by not wanting to take responsibility for the outcome of their decision. Signup and view all the answers

In the scenario described, what was the initial pretext used to collect the subjects' phones and prevent them from calling for help?

The subjects were told that the technology they're about to see is proprietary, and this gave the experimenters an excuse to collect their phones so they couldn't call for help during the imminent crisis. Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the actress in the experiment involving Elsa?

The actress pretended to ask permission for Elsa to wait inside the switching station, where the crisis was staged to observe Elsa's reaction and decision-making under pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What was the ultimate outcome of the experiment involving Elsa and the staged train crisis?

The experiment concluded with the reveal to Elsa that it was all an experiment, and she was asked about her feelings and experience during the staged crisis. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the potential harms of conducting a real-life Trolley Problem experiment and the measures suggested to mitigate these harms.

The potential harms of conducting a real-life Trolley Problem experiment include guilt, obsessive thoughts, and trauma. To mitigate these harms, the institutional review board suggests screening out vulnerable individuals and having a trauma counselor on-site. Signup and view all the answers

What are the social benefits proposed for the 'Mind Field' experiment and why are they considered important?

The proposed social benefits for the 'Mind Field' experiment include revealing the difference between instinct and philosophical reflection, and the potential implications for mass transit and self-driving cars. These benefits are important for understanding human behavior and improving technology. Signup and view all the answers

How does the text illustrate the ethical considerations and criticisms of controversial psychological experiments, and what measures are suggested to justify potential psychological harm?

The text illustrates ethical considerations and criticisms of controversial psychological experiments through the example of Milgram's obedience study, which caused significant psychological harm to participants. The suggested measures to justify potential psychological harm include having ethics review boards to ensure that harm is justified in the name of science, screening out vulnerable individuals, and emphasizing the study's benefits to offset potential risks. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the safety measures taken during the filming of the video with the train and actors for the study.

The train was not moving during filming, the actors wore ear protection, and they looked distracted to ensure safety. Signup and view all the answers

What steps were taken to minimize potential psychological harm to the subjects of the experiment?

An expert was consulted to help select subjects and minimize harm, potential subjects were carefully screened using psychological surveys, and those with signs of depression, anxiety, or other conditions were excluded. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the true nature of the experiment was disguised and how participants were recruited.

The true nature of the experiment was disguised by recruiting participants through a fake focus group ad, and they were brought to a fake focus group location where they were given a false backstory and shown pre-recorded videos of trains in a remote control room. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Natasha was pleasantly surprised by the positive reception of her ethics study proposal during the meeting.
The team filmed a video of a train approaching six actors on railway tracks for the study.
To ensure safety, the train was not moving during filming and the actors wore ear protection and looked distracted.
The team was concerned about potential psychological harm, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and planned to screen potential subjects carefully.
An expert was consulted to help select subjects and minimize harm.
To disguise the true nature of the experiment, participants were recruited through a fake focus group ad.
Potential subjects were screened using psychological surveys and those with signs of depression, anxiety, or other conditions were excluded.
The study was approved by two psychologists and a university ethics board.
Participants were brought to a fake focus group location, where they were given a false backstory and shown pre-recorded videos of trains in a remote control room.
The experiment involved leaving participants alone in a room with a train barreling down a track, requiring them to make a decision to switch the tracks and potentially save lives or let five people die.

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Test your comprehension of a conversation where one participant expresses surprise at the positive outcome of a meeting and her readiness to incorporate feedback for a study. Explore the nuances of the discussion and enhance your listening skills.