8 Ethics

Question 1

Question: What is the practical task of arriving at moral standards that regulate right/wrong conduct called?

Answer 1

Answer: Normative ethics.

Question 2

Question: What are some infamous studies that raised ethical concerns in psychology?

Answer 2

Answer: Examples include the Milgram obedience study, Little Albert’s conditioning experiment, and Harlow’s research on attachment in monkeys.

Question 3

Question: What are the two distinct approaches in ethics mentioned in the provided text?

Answer 3

Answer: Consequentialism and deontology.

Question 4

Question: What does consequentialism emphasize?

Answer 4

Answer: Consequentialism emphasizes that the rightness or wrongness of an act depends on its consequences.

Question 5

Question: What is utilitarianism and what does it emphasize?

Answer 5

Answer: Utilitarianism emphasizes the role of pleasure or happiness as a consequence of our actions.

Question 6

Question: According to deontology, are certain acts right or wrong in themselves?

Answer 6

Answer: Yes, according to deontology, certain acts are right or wrong in themselves, not in terms of their consequences.

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Question 7

Question: What is the categorical imperative, and what does it advocate?

Answer 7

Answer: The categorical imperative advocates treating people as an end in themselves, never merely as a means to an end.

Question 8

Question: Describe the case study on stuttering as a learned behavior.

Answer 8

Answer: The study conducted by Johnson and Tudor in 1939 demonstrated that stuttering could be induced by persistently drawing attention to minor imperfections in a child’s speech. They observed 22 orphans, with half given positive speech therapy and the others having attention drawn to slight imperfections. Eight out of eleven who had attention drawn to imperfections developed a stutter.

Question 9

Question: Which ethical approach does the British Psychological Society (BPS) take?

Answer 9

Answer: The BPS takes a deontological approach to ethics.

Question 10

Question: What is psychological egoism, and who proposed it?

Answer 10

Answer: Psychological egoism, proposed by Thomas Hobbes, is the belief that humans only act for themselves, suggesting that self-oriented interests ultimately motivate all human actions.

Question 11

Question: What is the purpose of the WHO’s guide for conducting medical research with human subjects?

Answer 11

Answer: The WHO’s guide provides guidelines for conducting medical research with human subjects.

Question 12

Question: What are the two documents provided by the British Psychological Society (BPS) concerning human research ethics?

Answer 12

Answer: The BPS provides the “Code of Ethics and Conduct” and the “Code of Human Research Ethics.”

Question 13

Question: What are the four ethical principles outlined in the BPS’s Code of Ethics and Conduct?

Answer 13

Answer: The four ethical principles are respect, competence, responsibility, and integrity.

Question 14

Question: Describe the principle of respect as outlined in the BPS’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Answer 14

Answer: The principle of respect involves valuing the dignity and worth of all individuals, being sensitive to dynamics of perceived authority or influence over people, and particularly regarding people’s rights. It includes considerations such as privacy, confidentiality, consent, self-determination, and the importance of compassionate care.

Question 15

Question: According to the BPS’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, what does the principle of competence entail?

Answer 15

Answer: The principle of competence involves valuing continuing development and maintaining high standards of competence in professional work. It emphasizes working within recognized limits of knowledge, skill, training, education, and experience, and being cautious in making knowledge claims.

Question 16

Question: What factors should researchers consider regarding competence according to the BPS’s guidelines?

Answer 16

Answer: Researchers should consider factors such as possession of appropriate skills, the need to maintain technical and practical skills, limits of competence, advances in the evidence base, and the potential need to refer to another professional in certain situations.

Question 17

Question: Describe the principle of responsibility as outlined in the BPS’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Answer 17

Answer: The principle of responsibility involves valuing one’s responsibilities to individuals, the general public, the profession of psychology, and the scientific community. It includes avoiding harm and preventing the misuse or abuse of one’s contributions to society. Researchers should consider factors such as professional accountability, responsible use of knowledge and skills, respect for the welfare of all living beings, and potentially competing duties.

Question 18

Question: According to the BPS’s guidelines, what factors should researchers consider regarding responsibility?

Answer 18

Answer: Researchers should consider factors such as professional accountability, responsible use of knowledge and skills, respect for the welfare of humans and non-human beings, and the prevention of misuse or abuse of their contributions to society. They should also recognize potentially competing duties in fulfilling their responsibilities.

Question 19

Question: What does the principle of integrity entail according to the BPS’s Code of Ethics and Conduct?

Answer 19

Answer: The principle of integrity involves valuing honesty, probity, accuracy, clarity, and fairness in interactions with all individuals. Researchers should seek to promote integrity in all facets of their scientific and professional endeavors. This includes being honest, open, and candid, providing accurate and unbiased representations, avoiding exploitation and conflicts of interest, maintaining personal and professional boundaries, and addressing misconduct when necessary.

Question 20

Question: What are some considerations related to integrity that researchers should keep in mind?

Answer 20

Answer: Researchers should consider factors such as honesty, openness, and candor in their interactions, providing accurate and unbiased representations of their work, ensuring fairness, avoiding exploitation and conflicts of interest, maintaining personal and professional boundaries, and addressing misconduct promptly and appropriately.

Question 21

Question: What are the four ethical principles outlined in the codes of human research ethics?

Answer 21

Answer: The four ethical principles are respect for autonomy and dignity of people, scientific value, social responsibility, and maximizing benefit and minimizing harm.

Question 22

Question: Describe the principle of respect for autonomy and dignity of people as outlined in the codes of human research ethics.

Answer 22

Answer: The principle of respect for autonomy and dignity of people involves valuing the dignity and worth of all individuals equally, with sensitivity to dynamics of perceived authority or influence over others, and particular regard to people’s rights including those of privacy and self-determination. Ethical standards include informing individuals of the nature of the research, avoiding discriminatory practices, ensuring self-determination, and ensuring privacy.

Question 23

Question: What does the principle of scientific value entail according to the codes of human research ethics?

Answer 23

Answer: The principle of scientific value states that research should be designed, reviewed, and conducted in a way that ensures its quality, integrity, and contribution to the development of knowledge and understanding. Ethical standards include accountability for research quality.

Question 24

Question: According to the codes of human research ethics, what is meant by social responsibility?

Answer 24

Answer: Social responsibility refers to the shared collective duty for the welfare of human and non-human beings, both within the society where researchers live and work and beyond. Ethical standards include assessing and identifying risks, as well as putting in place measures to minimize and manage risks.

Question 25

Question: What is meant by the term “risk” in the context of psychological research?

Answer 25

Answer: Risk refers to the potential for physical or psychological harm, discomfort, or stress that participants may experience as a result of their involvement in research. It is important to identify and manage these risks responsibly.

Question 26

Question: What is informed consent, and what are the two stages involved in obtaining it?

Answer 26

Answer: Informed consent involves informing participants about the nature of the study and obtaining their written agreement to take part. The two stages are: 1. Instructing participants about the nature of the study, and 2. Obtaining their written agreement to participate.

Question 27

Question: What should be included in a participant information form according to practical considerations for psychological research?

Answer 27

Answer: The participant information form should describe the nature of the study, potential risks or inconveniences involved, procedures for ensuring anonymity and confidentiality, the voluntary nature of participation, and the participants’ right to withdraw from the study at any time.

Question 28

Question: Who can provide consent for individuals who are unable to consent for themselves, such as children under 16 years old or those with impaired capacity?

Answer 28

Answer: For children under 16 years old and individuals with impaired capacity to consent, additional consent from parents or legal representatives should be sought. Guidelines for individuals aged 16 and older who are unable to make their own decisions can be found in the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Question 29

Question: What criteria are outlined in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to determine if a person is unable to make a decision?

Answer 29

Answer: According to the Mental Capacity Act 2005, a person is unable to make a decision if they are unable to understand the information relevant to the decision, retain that information, use or weigh the information as part of the decision-making process, or communicate their decision.

Question 30

Question: How should consent forms be written to ensure clarity and understanding?

Answer 30

Answer: Consent forms should use language that is clear, understandable, and tailored to the individuals who are being targeted for participation in the research.

Question 31

Question: What should participants be informed about regarding their right to withdraw from a study?

Answer 31

Answer: Participants should be advised at the outset that they can withdraw from the study at any time, without providing a reason, and without any prejudice. They also have the right to withdraw their data retrospectively, with researchers notifying them of any time restrictions.

Question 32

Question: What considerations should researchers make regarding confidentiality in psychological research?

Answer 32

Answer: Ideally, researchers should strive to maintain complete anonymity for participants. If there is any reason to breach confidentiality, it should be agreed upon with participants in advance of their participation. Information provided by participants in research should not be divulged to any outside source, and researchers should be mindful of both intentional and unintentional leaks of confidential information.

Question 33

Question: Under what circumstances is it ethical to offer advice to participants in psychological research?

Answer 33

Answer: It is ethical to offer advice to participants if it forms an intrinsic part of the study, is agreed upon with participants in advance, and is subject to ethical reviews beforehand.

Question 34

Question: What is the researcher’s duty if they unexpectedly obtain evidence of problems that may endanger the future well-being of participants?

Answer 34

Answer: The researcher has a duty to inform participants if failing to do so would endanger their future well-being. Researchers should also identify the risk of such evidence emerging and take appropriate actions.

Question 35

Question: What caution should researchers exercise if participants ask for advice?

Answer 35

Answer: Researchers should exercise caution and avoid offering opinions outside of their expertise when participants ask for advice.

Question 36

Question: How does deception in psychological research set it apart from other subjects?

Answer 36

Answer: Deception in psychological research is unique and raises ethical concerns due to its potential impact on participants’ well-being and the issue of reactivity. Participants have the right not to be deceived unnecessarily.

Question 37

Question: What are the different forms of deception in psychological research?

Answer 37

Answer: Deception can occur through commission, where participants are actively misled, or omission, where researchers fail to disclose all details. Accidental deception may also occur due to misunderstandings of the study, misrepresentation of time required, or experimental “extras” not explained to participants prior to consent.

Question 38

Question: What is the purpose of debriefing in psychological research?

Answer 38

Answer: The purpose of debriefing is to ensure that participants are provided with sufficient information to fully understand the nature of the research at the earliest opportunity. It serves as an active intervention to provide information about the role in the study before and after participation and to reduce any distress that may have been caused.

Question 39

Question: What responsibilities do researchers have regarding reporting their study results?

Answer 39

Answer: Researchers have a responsibility to report their study results with honesty and accuracy. They must ensure they credit original sources of ideas and other intellectual contributions when they have been used in their work. Additionally, researchers must maintain original data and electronic copies of project write-ups for potential verification.

Question 40

Question: What is plagiarism, and why is it important for researchers to avoid it?

Answer 40

Answer: Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s work or ideas without proper acknowledgment. It is important for researchers to avoid plagiarism to maintain academic integrity and give credit where it is due to original sources.

Question 41

Question: What are the expectations for participants before, during, and after their involvement in a study?

Answer 41

Answer: Before the study, participants should receive information about the purpose, risks, and potential rewards of the study, as well as the opportunity to ask questions. During the study, participants have the right to withdraw and should not encounter any unexpected risks. After the study, participants should receive a debriefing, have the right to withdraw their data, and have the opportunity to ask questions or see the results of the study.

Question 42

Question: What is the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) responsible for?

Answer 42

Answer: The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is a regulator that oversees practitioner psychologists in seven specific areas. These areas include clinical psychology, health psychology, counseling psychology, forensic psychology, educational psychology, occupational psychology, and sport and exercise psychology.

Question 43

Question: How does the HCPC ensure public protection?

Answer 43

Answer: The HCPC ensures public protection by maintaining a statutory register of practitioner psychologists and monitoring the continued professional development of registrants. It also has the authority to strike off individuals who fail to meet professional standards through fitness to practice processes.

Question 44

Question: What are the protected titles that require completion of an HCPC-approved course to use?

Answer 44

Answer: The protected titles regulated by the HCPC include clinical psychologist, health psychologist, counseling psychologist, forensic psychologist, educational psychologist, occupational psychologist, and sport and exercise psychologist.

Question 45

Question: What is the British Psychological Society (BPS) responsible for?

Answer 45

Answer: The British Psychological Society (BPS) serves as a professional body and representative organization for applied and academic psychologists in the UK. It plays a crucial role in promoting excellence and ethical practice in the academic, research, and applied aspects of psychology.

Question 46

Question: What standards does the BPS set for research, education, and knowledge in psychology?

Answer 46

Answer: The BPS sets standards for research, education, and knowledge in psychology, ensuring that all BPS-accredited degrees adhere to these standards. This helps maintain consistency and quality across psychology programs in the UK.

Question 47

Question: How does the BPS contribute to public awareness and the application of psychology for the greater public good?

Answer 47

Answer: The BPS works to increase public awareness of matters related to psychology and enhances the application of psychology for the greater public good. It promotes the understanding of psychological principles and their practical implications in various aspects of life, benefiting individuals and society as a whole.