Ethical Issues

What are the 5 main ethical issues?

1. Valid consent

2. Deception

3. Risk of harm (stress, anxiety, humiliation, pain)

4. Confidentiality

5. Privacy

What are 5 ways that we can deal with ethical issues?

1. Consent

2. Debriefing

3. Ethical guidelines

4. Right to withdraw

5. Punishment

Explain how CONSENT may be used to deal with ethical issues, and what are the LIMITATIONS?

Participants must be informed about the study before giving permission.

PRESUMPTIVE CONSENT: find similar people to the people in your study and ask if they’d take part. If yes, you can assume the actual participants will agree too. Will not undo harm

RETROSPECTIVE CONSENT: ask for permission after the study. Can’t be certain they’ll answer the same

Participants can’t always be fully informed (prevent bias- invalidated results)

Explain how DEBRIEFING may be used to deal with ethical issues, and what are the LIMITATIONS?

Short, post-experiment discussion with the participant. Informs them about the goals of the experiment, and allows them to withdraw their permission for their data to be used. Overcomes deception

• Won’t undo harm

• Not always possible to debrief all participants, e.g. in field experiments

Explain how the RIGHT TO WITHDRAW may be used to deal with ethical issues, and what are the LIMITATIONS?

Participants should be allowed to withdraw at any time without consequence.

• May caused biased results if people leave

• Participants may feel pressure to stay in the experiment

Explain how ETHICAL GUIDELINES may be used to deal with ethical issues, and what are the LIMITATIONS?

The BPS/APA produces a code of conduct for psychologists to follow in order to protect participants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE: grants permission to researchers to carry out studies

Vague- can find loopholes

Explain how PUNISHMENT may be used to deal with ethical issues, and what are the LIMITATIONS?

The BPS/APA may ban the person from participating as a psychologist if they’ve conducted unacceptable research

What are 3 other ethical considerations that need to be addressed, and how?

RISK TO THE PARTICIPANT’S VALUES/ BELIEFS/ RELATIONSHIP/ STATUS/ PRIVACY: researchers must make sure the participant does not suffer any long term effects. They can be protected by maintaining the confidentiality of the data.

WORKING WITH VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS (INCL. CHILDREN): they must completely understand what’s being asked of them, and get fully informed consent from a guardian. Under 16s & people with mental disabilities need permission from a guardian.

WORKING WITH ANIMALS: should only be used if no other options are available, researchers can demonstrate that suffering is kept to a minimum, the data collected will be justified by the cost to the animals.