Ethics

PS21220 Applied Forensic Psychology

Researching Forensic Psychology - Part 2: Ethics

Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychology Research

• Why Ethics Matter:

  • Involves vulnerable individuals (offenders, victims).

  • Unique rights and needs require attention.

• Potential Consequences of Unethical Practices:

  • Psychological harm to participants.

  • Legal repercussions for researchers.

  • Erosion of public trust in forensic research.

• Overview:

  • Intersects with criminal behavior, legal systems, and vulnerable populations.

  • Necessitates careful ethical considerations due to sensitive topics.

• Key Terms:

  • Consent, confidentiality, dual relationships, impacts on participants, implications for justice.

• Key Sources:

  • American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code.

  • British Psychological Society (BPS) Code of Human Research Ethics.

Informed Consent in Forensic Psychology Research

• Definition:

  • Participants must understand the nature, purpose, risks, and benefits before consenting.

• Challenges:

  • Comprehension Issues: Cognitive impairments, language barriers, low literacy.

  • Coercion Risks: Pressure to participate in institutional settings (prisons, courts).

• Example:

  • Research involving incarcerated individuals requires addressing power imbalances.

• Key Source:

  • APA Ethics Code Section 3.10; Grisso, T. (1998). Forensic Evaluation of Juveniles.

Vulnerable Populations and Consent

• Definition:

  • Vulnerable populations lack full understanding of rights or feel unable to decline participation.

• Special Considerations:

  • Additional consent protections for prisoners, minors, and individuals with mental health issues.

• Dual Consent:

  • For minors, consent from both the participant and a legal guardian is necessary.

• Example:

  • Juvenile studies must ensure minors know they can withdraw anytime without repercussions.

• Key Source:

  • BPS Code of Human Research Ethics; Caldwell, M. F., & Van Rybroek, G. J. (2005).

Managing Dual Relationships

• Definition:

  • Occurs when researchers hold multiple roles with a participant (e.g., researcher and clinician).

• Risks:

  • Objectivity: Difficulty remaining impartial.

  • Ethical Conflicts: Conflicts of interest impact research validity.

  • Power Imbalance: Affects consent and responses.

  • Influence: Researchers may inadvertently influence participants’ legal outcomes.

• Example:

  • A psychologist conducting research in prison may inadvertently impact inmate's access to clinical services.

• Key Source:

  • Greenberg, S. A., & Shuman, D. W. (1997). Irreconcilable Conflict Between Therapeutic and Forensic Roles.

Confidentiality in Forensic Psychology Research

• Importance:

  • Protects personal information and builds trust.

• Challenges:

  • Legal obligations to report certain disclosures (e.g., confessions, harm).

  • Privacy issues in small, confined communities.

  • Data security and ensuring sensitive information is securely stored and anonymized.

• Example:

  • Complex issues arise when violent offenders disclose potential future threats.

• Key Source:

  • Melton, G. B., et al. (2007). Psychological Evaluations for the Courts.

Risk of Psychological Harm

• Definition:

  • Potential for distress from sensitive questions or scenarios.

• Challenges in Forensic Settings:

  • Risk of re-traumatization from discussions of past trauma.

  • Need for pre-screening to identify at-risk participants.

  • Provision of support services and mental health referrals.

• Example:

  • Research on PTSD in victims may evoke sensitive memories that risk harm.

• Key Source:

  • Elbogen, E. B., et al. (2004). The Ethical Practice of Forensic Psychology.

Voluntary Participation and Coercion

• Issue:

  • Ensuring participants can opt-out without consequences.

• Challenge:

  • Prison environments may inadvertently pressure inmates to participate.

• Example:

  • Avoid coercive incentives such as parole consideration in exchange for participation.

• Key Source:

  • Moser, D. J., et al. (2004). Coercion and Informed Consent in Research.

Researcher Safety and Ethical Considerations

• Researcher Risks:

  • Safety dangers when working with offenders or in secure environments.

• Strategies for Safety:

  • Conduct in secure settings with safety protocols in place.

  • Provide training for researchers to handle high-risk situations.

• Vicarious Trauma:

  • Researchers may experience trauma exposure from participants’ distressing accounts.

• Bias Impact:

  • Researchers may develop biases, particularly around sensitive topics.

• Example:

  • Careful planning is required for research with violent offenders.

• Key Source:

  • APA Guidelines on Researcher Safety; Silver, E. (2006).

Ethical Challenges in Data Reporting

• Issues:

  • Misrepresentation of data can mislead courts and impact lives.

  • Confidentiality must be maintained even in case studies.

  • Digital records present new privacy challenges.

• Tech in Research:

  • Use of technology (e.g., VR for reconstructions) introduces new ethical dilemmas.

• Participant Privacy:

  • Importance of anonymizing and avoiding identifiers in publications.

• Impact of Findings:

  • Consider potential harm from publishing sensitive results.

• Example:

  • Avoiding specifics that could identify participants or victims.

• Key Source:

  • Cavoukian, A. (2012). Privacy by Design.

Conclusion and Future Directions

• Summary:

  • Ethical issues in forensic psychology demand a balance between participant rights and research integrity.

• Role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs):

  • Oversight in enforcing ethical standards.

• Advancements:

  • Trauma-informed research practices.

  • Emphasis on cultural sensitivity and digital privacy considerations.

• Researcher Bias:

  • Consideration of researcher biases when studying sensitive issues.

• Disclosure Conflicts:

  • Forensic researchers may face obligations to report illegal activities, impacting confidentiality.