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CHAPTER 2 Ethics in Psychological Research

CHAPTER 2 Ethics in Psychological Research. Questionable Practices. Watson & Rayner (1920) Little Albert. Ethics – a set of standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession. Landis (1924) Rat Beheading. Developing the APA Code of Ethics.

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CHAPTER 2 Ethics in Psychological Research

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  1. CHAPTER 2Ethics in Psychological Research

  2. Questionable Practices • Watson & Rayner (1920) • Little Albert • Ethics – a set of standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession • Landis (1924) • Rat Beheading

  3. Developing the APA Code of Ethics • Late 30’s: An empirical approach to forming the code was utilized; the critical incidents technique. (Hobbs Committee) • Nuremberg code (1949) • First APA code of ethics (1953) • Declaration of Helsinki (1964) • Belmont Report (1979) • APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2017 amendments)

  4. Developing the APA Code of Ethics • Guidelines for ethical behavior for the practice of research, clinical work, and teaching in psychology • Applies to all of us in the field of psychology • Code contains: • 5 general principles • 10 standards of practice • http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx

  5. APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct • General Principles • Beneficence and non-malfeasance • Constantly weigh costs & benefits; protect from harm; produce greatest good • Fidelity and responsibility • Be professional; constantly be aware of responsibility to society • Integrity • Be scrupulously honest • Justice • Always treat people fairly • Respect for peoples’ rights and dignity • Safeguard individual rights; protect rights of privacy and confidentiality

  6. Research and Publication • Identify potential risks • Protect participants from physical and psychological harm • Justify remaining risks • Obtain informed consent • Take care of participants after the study (debriefing)

  7. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans • Judging benefits and costs: the IRB : In 1974, as part of the National Research Act, the federal government mandated that IRBs be in place for any college or university receiving federal funds for research. (IRB = Institutional Review Board) • At least five people, including at least one scientist, one member of the outside community and a minimum of one nonscientist. • Determines whether the project meets ethical guidelines • Some research is exempt; expedited; full review • Key factor: degree of risk to subjects

  8. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans • Informed consent and deception in research • Consent: sufficient information to decide whether to participate • Deception rationale • Desire to have subjects act naturally • Milgram (1963) obedience study as an example • Cover story  effect of punishment on learning • Real purpose  limits of obedience to authority • No consent needed in some circumstances • some survey, educational, archival, and observational research

  9. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans • Elements of consent: What to include on your consent form • Study’s basic description • Enough information to decide whether to participate • How long participation will take • May quit at any time • Confidentiality and anonymity ensured • Contact information given (researcher, IRB) • Opportunity to obtain final results of the study • Signatures • CONSENT IS A PROCESS, NOT JUST A FORM

  10. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans • Historical example of poor consent • Tuskegee syphilis study • MK-ULTRA (CIA & LSD) • Consent with special populations • Children • assent also needed • Children and other special groups (e.g., prisoners) • Special care to avoid feelings of coercion

  11. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans • Treating participants well • Debriefing • Dehoaxing • Desensitizing • Participant crosstalk • Code allows partial debriefing followed by full report at completion of the study • Research ethics and the Internet • Problems with ensuring consent • Problems with conducting effective debriefing

  12. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Animals • The issue of animal rights • Using animals in psychological research • Aids both humans and animals • Sometimes there is no alternative (tissue, simulation/computer model) • The APA Code for animal research / The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) • Justifying the study • Cost-benefit analysis • No plausible alternatives • Caring for the animals • e.g., expertise with species, upkeep of animal health • Using animals for educational purposes

  13. Scientific Fraud • Plagiarism • Data falsification • Varying degrees (all unethical) • Reasons • Range from individual weakness to societal moral standards • Publish or perish climate in academia

  14. Summary • As psychological researchers, we adhere to a Code of Ethics regarding research with humans and animals. • The APA code and IRBs help guide our decisions and actions in conducting research ethically, responsibly, and with integrity.

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