Introduction to Ethics in Psychological Research

Evolution of Ethical Guidelines
- Ethical guidelines in psychology evolve over time.
- The Open Science Movement underscores ethical issues that have gained prominence recently.
- Future generations may question past ethical standards in psychological research, reflecting on what was considered acceptable.
Core Principles of Research Ethics
- The essential objective of ethics in psychology is to avoid both short-term and long-term harm to human and non-human animals involved in studies.

Historical Context of Unethical Research
- There are noteworthy unethical studies in psychology's past that serve as cautionary tales.
- A continuum exists regarding the degree of unethics; minor violations differ from severe ethical breaches.
Example of Unethical Research: Facebook Experiment (Kramer et al., 2014)
- A study manipulated Facebook users’ news feeds without their knowledge.
- Half of participants received positive messages; the other half had negative messages hidden.
- Result: Participants who received fewer positive messages posted less positively, reflecting emotional content changes due to manipulation.
Unethical Study Timeline
- Table 2.4 features a chronological order of studies that are deemed unethical by contemporary standards.

Rights of Participants
- The established rights of study participants hinge on the Belmont Report (1979) and American Psychological Association guidelines.
- Participants should be informed of their rights before participation.
- Notable rights include:
- Informed Consent:
  - Individuals should be aware of study expectations, potential risks, and anonymity of personal information.
- Right to Withdraw:
  - Participants can exit the study at any time for any reason or skip questions they find uncomfortable.
- Post-Study Transparency:
  - After completing the study, participants can inquire about hypotheses, results, and any deceptions involved, along with contact information to report concerns.

Historical Abuse in Animal Research
- Certain practices in psychology have previously crossed the line into animal cruelty; modern ethical standards are significantly stricter.
- The APA provides a hotline for reporting abuses.
Guidelines for Animal Research
- Justification:
- Ethical approval must consider the welfare of animals throughout the research process.
- Care:
- Animals should be housed in clean, suitable environments and treated with compassion.
- Minimal stress and discomfort must be ensured during experimentation.
- Use of anesthesia is mandated during surgical procedures on animals, if necessary.
- Observational studies in natural settings should be conducted responsibly to avoid disruption.

Institutional Review Boards (IRB)
- Researchers are accountable for safeguarding participants' rights and welfare.
- All research involving humans or animals is monitored by specialized committees:
- Institutional Review Boards:
  - Focus on studies with human participants.
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees:
  - Oversee studies utilizing non-human animals.
- Committees typically consist of interdisciplinary representatives, including faculty from various departments, legal experts, and community members.
Approval Process
- Psychologists must obtain prior approval for their studies from the relevant university committee.
- Approval involves detailed submissions outlining the study’s purpose, procedures, participant compensation, expected benefits, and potential risks.
- Committees may ask questions and require modifications if necessary.

Modern psychology emphasizes:
- Conducting research effectively (doing science well).
- Upholding ethical standards (doing science ethically).
The integration of these principles instills pride among authors and researchers in the field of psychology, fostering a commitment to ethical research practices.