Ethical Issues in Psychological Research

These flashcards cover the ethical issues in psychological research, focusing on informed consent, ethical oversight, and the consequences of unethical research.

What is the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?

An unethical study that observed untreated syphilis in African American men without their informed consent.

When did the Tuskegee Syphilis Study begin?

1932.

What is informed consent in psychological research?

The process by which participants are given basic details about an experiment to make an informed decision to volunteer.

What are some elements that must be included in informed consent?

Details about the study's topic, nature of tasks, duration, risks, and steps to minimize risks.

What ethical principle conflicts with the use of deception in experiments?

The principle of informed consent.

What must participants be assured of regarding withdrawal from a study?

That they can withdraw their participation at any time without penalty.

What is the purpose of debriefing?

To inform participants about what happened in the study, including the aim, procedures, and rationale for any deception.

Why might animals be used in psychological research?

To study behavior, treatments, and issues where human subjects cannot be ethically used.

What are research ethics boards?

Groups that evaluate research proposals to ensure ethical standards are maintained.

What obligation do researchers have regarding data handling?

Researchers must keep and store data honestly and allow other researchers access for verification.

Who is Andrew Wakefield?

A researcher whose unethical study falsely linked vaccines to autism, causing public panic.

What was the sample size of Wakefield's study linking vaccines to autism?

12 children.

What were the consequences of Wakefield’s study?

Increased vaccine hesitancy and resurgence of preventable diseases.

What is scientific integrity?

The commitment to honesty and ethical conduct in conducting and reporting research.