ethical issues Flashcards
BPS
British Pyschological Society - nationally recognised professional body who have developed a set of ethical guidelines to ensure the protection of participants in pyschological research
all psychological research in the UK has to be approved by BPS ethics committees before being carried out. If psychologists break this ethical code, they can be struck off the national register of practicing psychologists, making it difficult for them to continue working in the UK
Physical harm
participants have the right to not experience any harm in research
includes any physical pain or discomfort
a study can be considered not to have caused lasting psychological or physical harm if participants leave in a frame of mind that is at least as sound as when they entered (Aronson, 1988)
physical and psychological harm BPS guidelines
researchers should protect participants from harm during any study
the risk of harm should be no greater than the risks experienced in ordinary line
dealing with harm
at the end of the study, participants should receive a full debriefing in which they are informed of the full details of the research, including discussion of their harm
a debriefing should ensure that participants have overcome their harm, leaving in a “frame of mind that is at least as sound as when they entered” Aronsonn, 1988
if not, they have the right to withdraw their data from the investigation
psychological harm
participants have the right not to experience harm in research
psychological harm includes any level of emotional distress, embarassment or the loss of self-esteem
a study can be considered not to have caused lasting psychological or physical harm if participants leave in a “frame of mind that is at least as sound as when they entered” Aronson, 1988
deception BPS guidelines
deception should be avoided if at all possibke
it should only be used if there is no alternative and if the benefits outweigh the costs
should not be used if participants are likely to feel unhappy about it once they are made aware
deception
participants have the right not to experience deception in research
avoiding deception is not always possible, as giving participants the full details of research may cause a change in their natural behaviour (due to demand characteristics)
therefore, although it should be minimised, it’s acceptable when:
- there is no alternative to deception
- the level of dececption or its consequences are minor
- the scientific benefit of the research outweighs the costs of deception
deception dealing
participants should receive a full debriefing in which they are informed of the full details of the research, inclduing the deception they experienced
a debriefing should ensure that participants are comfortable with their deception, leaving in a “frame of mind that is at least as sound as when they entered” Aronson, 1988
if not, they have the right to withdraw their data from the investigation
before the study, psychologists may also gain prior general consent by informing participants about the general aims, explaining that deception will be used (without explaining how this will occur).
Participants can then give their consent knowing they will experience deception.
Informed consent BPS
where possible, participants should be informed of the full details of the research before agreeing to take part
participants should never feel coerced or pressurised into taking part in research (eg bribes or rewards)
for children, who cannot give their own informed consent, consent should be given by a parent or a guardian
informed consent
participants have the right to give their informed consent before taking part in research, by being made aware of an experimenter’s aims, procedures and anticipated findings, and signing their agreement to take part
full informed consent is only given if a participant signs their agreement to take part in the investigation having been told:
- aim of the experiment
- the full procedure
- the anticipated findings
- their rights (eg right to withdraw)
informed consent dealing
before the study, psychologists gain presumtive consent from other members of the target population (who will not be taking part in the actual research)
people similar to the participants are told the full details of the study and are asked if they would give their consent to take part (based on the info provided)
if this group agrees, researches can presume that the actual participants will feel the same, gaining their presumtive consent
before the study, psychologists also gain prior general consent by informing participants about the general aims, without giving too much detail about the research. Participants can then give their consent knowing roughly what they will experience.
right to withdraw BPS
participants should be told they have the right to withdraw at the start of the experiment and at key points throughout
without question, participants can withdraw themselves and their data provided during the study
right to withdraw
participants have the right to withdraw themselves from the experiment, including any data they have provided
as they have the right to withdraw at any time during the experiment (and without question), this right should be made clear from the start of the research and at key point throughout the experiment
right to withdraw dealing
at the end of the study, participants should receive a debriefing in which they are informed of the full details of the research
if participants were not informed of their right to withdraw at the start of the research (eg due to deception), they at least have the right to withdraw their data from the investigation at this point
although the right to withdraw should be made clear from the start of the research, participants should also be reminded of this right at key points throughout the experiment
privacy and confidentiality BPS
where possible, participants should remain anonymous: they should be referred to by participant numbers rather than names
participant names should only be taken if there is a need to contact participants at a later date (eg to effectively debrief them)
participants data must not be shared with anyone unless agreed in advance
