Ethical Costs

Intro

•Ethical issues occur when there is a conflict between researchers’ goals and participants’ rights.

•Researchers aim to produce useful findings that benefit society or the economy.

•Participants have the right to be treated fairly, humanely, and with care.

•Protecting participants (e.g., limiting harm or deception) may reduce the value or realism of findings.

•Ethical considerations create a balance between scientific progress and participant protection, making research ethics a controversial area in psychology

Individual Participants

Participant Issues

• Psychological research relies on voluntary participants (e.g., drug trials or studies on biorhythms).

• While society benefits, participants may experience costs or harm.

• Key ethical concerns include, Valid informed consent, Confidentiality, Risk of stress, anxiety, humiliation, or pain.

Ethical Dilemmas in Social Psychology

• Research exploring important social behaviour often creates ethical dilemmas.

• The greater the potential benefit to society, the more likely ethical issues may arise.

• Some argue researchers have a moral responsibility to investigate important social questions.

Examples of Controversial Studies

• Stanley Milgram’s Milgram Obedience Study – participants showed extreme stress while administering shocks.

• Philip Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment – participants experienced psychological harm and abusive behaviour.

Researchers’ Justifications

• Researchers did not anticipate the extreme outcomes.

• Milgram argued deception was necessary to avoid demand characteristics and maintain validity.

• Findings revealed important insights into obedience and conformity.

Conclusion

• These studies raised serious ethical concerns but also provided valuable knowledge about human behaviour.

• Some argue the benefits to society justify the research when considering the greater go

Benefits to Society

Benefits of Classical Research

•Many classical studies (e.g., Watson & Rayner, Milgram, Bowlby) would be considered unethical by modern standards.

•However, their findings have produced significant benefits for society and the economy.

Example – Phobia Treatment

•Watson and Rayner’s research contributed to the development of Systematic Desensitisation (SD).

•Rothbaum et al. (2000) found 93% of participants with fear of flying agreed to a trial flight after SD.

•Davey (2007) stated exposure therapies are among the most effective treatments for phobias.

Economic Benefits

•SD typically requires 6–8 sessions, unlike long-term medication.

•This can save healthcare funding (e.g., within the NHS).

Example – Attachment Research

•Bowlby’s work influenced childcare policy worldwide.

•Emphasis on secure attachment and individual care, leading to greater use of foster care instead of large orphanages.

Criticisms / Ethical Costs

•Bowlby labelled some children “affectionless psychopaths”, which may lead to stigma and discrimination.

•Individuals from deprived backgrounds may be judged unfairly, potentially affecting life opportunities.

Conclusion

•Classical studies produced important social and economic benefits but also raised ethical concerns and potential harm.

•This highlights the ongoing debate in psychology about balancing scientific progress with participant welfare

Use of Ethical Guidelines

BPS Ethical Guidelines

•In the UK, research ethics are guided by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

•The latest Code of Ethics and Conduct (2021) aims to maximise benefits of research and minimise risks to participants and society.

Four Core Principles

•Respect – respect the dignity and rights of individuals and communities.

•Competence – psychologists must only work within their training and expertise.

•Responsibility – research should benefit society and not be used to control or discriminate.

•Integrity – research must be honest, valid, and well designed.

Ethics Committees

•Ethical guidelines are enforced by Psychology Research Ethics Committee (PREC).

•Researchers must submit proposals explaining how ethical issues will be addressed.

•Committees may decide:

•Research can proceed

•Research can proceed with amendments

•Research cannot take place.

Limitations

•Ethical principles require subjective interpretation, meaning they may be applied inconsistently.

•Balancing scientific value with potential participant risk can be difficult.

Conclusion

•Ethical guidelines and review committees aim to protect participants and ensure responsible research, though ethical decision-

making remains complex

Conclusion

Inevitable Ethical Challenges

•Psychological research will always involve ethical challenges.

•Human behaviour is complex and unpredictable, making it difficult to anticipate all ethical issues.

Limitations of Ethical Planning

•Even when researchers follow ethical guidelines, unforeseen problems may arise during studies.

Scientific Responsibility

•Psychology has a scientific obligation to conduct research to improve understanding of human behaviour.

•Researchers should have freedom to investigate complex topics that benefit society.

Conclusion

•Advancing psychological knowledge sometimes creates tension between scientific progress and participant wellbeing, making ethics an ongoing debate in research