2.3 Ethics

Question 1

Define research ethics…

Answer 1

The moral principles guiding research from its inception through to completion and publication of results

Question 2

What is the main body of ethics code?

Answer 2

BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct

Question 3

What are the four principles of BPS Code?

Answer 3

Respect, Competence, Responsibility and Integrity

Question 4

What does Respect refer to in the four principles

Answer 4

Respect for the dignity of people, the inherent worth of all human beings and that all humans are worthy of equal moral consideration

Question 5

What does Competence refer to in the BPS code?

Answer 5

• Value the continuing development and maintenance of high standards of competence
• Work within the recognized limits of your knowledge, skill, training, education and experience

Question 6

What does responsibility refer to in the BPS code?

Answer 6

• see the responsibility to the people, public and profession of psych
• avoid harm
• prevent misuse of your research in its contribution to society

Question 7

What does Integrity refer to in the BPS code?

Answer 7

• value honesty, probity, accuracy, clarity and fairness
• seek to promote integrity in all facets of scientific and professional endeavors

Question 8

What are the consequences of BPS code for ppts?

Answer 8

• informed consent
• right to withdraw
• risk (e.g. minimse psych/physical harm, deception, etc.)
• debriefing and aftercare
• ethical approval prior to the “experiment”

Question 9

Give four examples of historic studies that violate the ethics code.

Answer 9

• Milgram
• Stanford prison
• Syphilis study
• WW2 studies

Question 10

What as a consequence of the experiments in concentration camps?

Answer 10

Resulted in the development of the Nuremberg code of ethics in Medical Research (1947) - Risk against benefit and need for informed consent

Question 11

Describe Milgram’s study

Answer 11

• 18 variations
• Used prods (e.g. The experiment requires you to continue)
• Goes against right to withdraw
• there was a debrief but it wasn’t substantial

Question 12

Describe the Stanford Prison Experiment (1971)

Answer 12

• signed informed consent
• some harassment, minimal diet
• Escalated on day 2, guards became abusive, prisoners became passive and with drawn

Question 13

Describe the Syphilis study at Tuskegee in ethical terms

Answer 13

• aim: observe the natural history of untreated syphilis
• 600 AA men took part
• reward: free medical care, meals and burial insurance
• Ppts informed consent wasn’t collected
• 1943 penicillin became a treatment for syphilis, but ppts were not offered it

Question 14

what 8 factors does informed consent need to address

Answer 14

• aims for project
• time commitment
• risk outlined
• opportunity to withdraw at anytime without consequences
• confidentiality and anonymity conditions
• planned debrief
• contact details of researcher

Question 15

What is a benefit of deception?

Answer 15

• knowing all detail may prime ppts to respond differently than they would in real-life situations

Question 16

what are three risks of deception?

Answer 16

• goes against principles of ethics and conduct (Integrity and responsibility)
• Informed consent?
• Could generate suspicion

Question 17

What is debriefing?

Answer 17

• After study is completed
• Communicate full info
• Include researchers contact details
• explained rationale for deception
• eliminate all possibility of harmful after-effects