Ethical Issues in Psychological Research

Ethical Issues in Psychological Research

Overview

• Topics discussed in this lesson focus on ethical issues in psychological research, especially related to human and animal subjects.

• Emphasis on the importance of ethical considerations in experimental design and research questions.

• Current research protocols adhere to rigorous ethical standards which were not historically in place.

Historical Context

• Example of an unethical experiment: Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

  • Timeline: Initiated in 1932 and continued until 1974.

  • Objective: Study the effects of untreated syphilis over time.

  • Participants: Approximately 400 African American men recruited from Tuskegee, Alabama.

  • Miscommunication: Participants were not informed they had syphilis; told they had "bad blood" (a local term for various ailments).

  • Ethical Concerns:

  • Participants were targeted from a poor community.

  • Promises of free transportation, healthcare (not for syphilis), and meals were made to encourage participation.

  • After Penicillin's Discovery: Participants were still denied treatment even after effective medication became available.

  • Outcome: Whistleblower led to termination of the study in 1974, spurring development of ethical protocols in research.

Modern Ethical Standards

• Research Ethics Board (REB):

  • Mandatory review of all proposed studies to ensure participant rights and safety.

  • Evaluation of whether risks involved are outweighed by potential benefits of the study.

• Minimal Stress in Research:

  • Most psychological research involves little to no stress for participants.

  • Occasional minor stress (e.g., discomfort from physical tasks) is permissible as long as it is short-lived and non-permanent.

Types of Stress in Psychological Research

• Physical Stress:

  • Example: Inducing minor discomfort through tasks (e.g., immersing hand in ice-cold water).

• Cognitive and Emotional Stress:

  • Example: Therapists encouraging individuals to write about traumatic experiences.

  • Benefits: Such methods, although uncomfortable, can help in emotional healing and are justified under ethical standards.

Informed Consent

• Definition: Participants must understand the experiment sufficiently to make an informed decision about their participation.

• Information Provided Includes:

  • General topic and the nature of stimuli (e.g., types of conditions participants may encounter).

  • The nature of tasks (e.g., computer interaction, physical exertion).

  • Duration of participation.

  • Potential risks and how those risks are minimized.

• Conflicts with Experimental Design:

  • Double-blind procedures may involve minor deception to prevent bias in behavior (e.g., hiding the true nature of the study).

  • Participants must still give consent and be informed of their rights.

• Participants' Rights:

  • Right to refuse participation without repercussions.

  • Assurance of equal opportunities regardless of participation.

  • Right to withdraw from the study at any point, and to withhold responses if uncomfortable.

Debriefing Process

• Definition: After the experiment, researchers must inform participants about the study's purpose and procedures, including any deception that occurred.

  • Helps increase participants' scientific understanding and awareness of the research conducted.

Animal Research in Psychology

• Ethical Oversight: Animal research adheres to similar ethical standards as human research, with REBs overseeing the treatment of animal subjects.

• Reasons for Animal Research:

  • Some psychological phenomena cannot be studied in humans for ethical reasons.

  • Animal models allow for controlled experiments concerning treatment efficacy and genetic studies.

  • Examples: Studying addiction using rats; using zebrafish or fruit flies for multigenerational genetic studies.

• Importance of Animal Welfare:

  • Healthy and happy animals are necessary to generalize findings to human psychology effectively.

  • Ethical responsibility ensures any stress or discomfort is well justified and managed.

Obligations of Scientists

• Data Integrity: Keeping published data accessible for replication and validation by other researchers.

  • Legal requirement to store data for a period of 3-5 years post-publication.

• Honesty in Data Reporting:

  • Fundamental assumption of working for the greater good of humanity and scientific integrity.

  • Importance of acknowledging conflicts of interest due to potential biases in data interpretation (e.g., funding sources).

Case Study of Ethical Breach

• Andrew Wakefield's Study:

  • Involved alleged link between MMR vaccine and autism.

  • Methods: Poorly designed case study with only 12 participants, leading to widespread panic and misinformation about vaccinations.

  • Ethical Violations:

  • Ignored scientific rigor and manipulated data.

  • Financial conflicts of interest aimed at profiting from vaccine-related fears.

  • Consequences: Supported decline in vaccination rates, resurgence of preventable diseases, and ongoing public health threats.

  • Key Takeaway: Need for scientific integrity and awareness of ethical obligations in psychological research to prevent harm and ensure responsible conduct.