Issues for psychology as a science

What is the BPS Code of Ethics conduct (2009)

A set of professional standards and moral guidelines that promote ethical behaviour, attitude and judgement on the part of psychologists.

What’s the philosophical approach to the BPS code of conduct and what does it mean

‘ do unto others as you would be done by’ don’t do psychological research you would not do to yourself

What are the 4 ethical principles of this code?

Respect= valuing the dignity of all people across all cultures and status.

Responsibility= being accountable for what is in your power to avoid harm to the public and remain professional

Integrity= being honest, accurate and fair in all professional work without personal bias.

Competence= Maintaining high standards of professional work and recognising limits of ones skills training and knowledge.

Name 5 ethical issues and what they are

Informed consent- participants must be aware of research they re partaking in

Protection to participants- avoid harm to them mental or physical

Right to withdraw- participants must be aware they can withdraw

General respect- must be respectful to everyone no matter cultural or role differences

Confidentiality- information mustn’t be shared.

What is one advantage and one disadvantage to following these ethical guidelines?

A= to protect the public from mental or physical distress to keep the professional reputation of psychology for further research grants and more participants.

D= Results can be less valid due to participants awareness that it is staged and not a real situation. This hides true human behaviour and limits research.

What is the aim of psychology?

To provide with greater understanding of the human behaviour in order to improve the human condition.

Why use animals for psychological research

Ethical reasons- many experiments not ethical for human testing

Similarities to humans- humans evolve from animals making animals suitable patients as they create a generalisation on hoe human brain may work

Animals are good participants- they are highly reliable and their conditions can be controlled as well as faster breeding

Theoretical knowledge- contribute to development of psychological knowledge

Practical application- findings can be used to treat or aid society

Ethical guidelines for animals

Legislation- be familiar with laws around animals

Replacing use of animals where possible

Choice of species must be ethical to the research

Number of animals must be the minimum amount

Procedures must avoid long lasting suffering and specific to animals needs

Procurement of animals must be from designated breeders

Animal care and captivity must meet standards for animal

Disposing of animals must be least painful anaesthised and quick,

Adnatages and disadvantages to following animal ethical guidelines

Good reputation to psychology, can benefit humans without too high a cost for animals, protect animals that can’t protect themselves

Can’t use endangered species so limits research, must use smallest number of animals so reliability is questioned, home office licenses are difficult to get so research limited.

What is the animal ( scientific procedure) act 1989

Regulates use of protected animals including living vertebrae or cephalopod

What are the home office guilidines 3Rs

Replacement of living animals where possible

Reduction of number of animals used

Refinement of procedures to minimise suffering

What 3 home office licenses are needed before you are allowed to test on animals

Personal licence for every person testing

Project licence for the project of research

Establishment licence for the place of work where research happens