Ethical dilemmas in research on social influence

Studies in social influence involve serious ethical dilemmas, especially when performed in natural conditions. Some of these problems seem unsolvable. As presented in this article, there is a trade-off between ethical imperatives and scientific profit. For example, the discussed types of research do not allow for collection of the informed consent from the participants. Mental simulations of the research situation or role-playing are not plausible alternatives, neither. In conclusion it is proposed that the most reasonable solution is that the researcher takes on personal responsibility for experimental procedures and their consequences. peerReviewed publishedVersion