Ethical issues Flashcards
Who are British psychologists guided by in terms of ethics?
The British Psychological Society (BPS).
What are the 6 ethical issues in psychology?
Informed consent
Deception
Right to withdraw
Protection from physical and psychological harm
Confidentiality
Privacy
Describe BPS guidance on informed consent.
Ps must be given comprehensive info concerning the nature and purpose of the research and their role in it so they can give an informed decision on whether they wish to participate.
Define deception in psychology.
P is not told true aims of study and cannot give true informed consent. Deception is sometimes necessary for the study. Withholding info is more acceptable than providing false info - still must be passed by BPS before carrying out research.
Describe the right to withdraw as a BPS standard.
Ps may stop participating or withdraw data if they are uncomfortable in any way. Especially important in studies without full/true informed consent.
What levels of risk of harm are acceptable?
Risk of harm no greater than it is in real life and Ps finish in same state they start. OR can be acceptable otherwise if informed consent about more risk has been given.
What is the difference between confidentiality and privacy?
Confidentiality - extent to which data can be traced back to participant
Privacy - extent to which details of their personal life is invaded e.g. do not expect to be covertly observed in their home.
Name 4 methods of dealing with generic ethical issues?
Ethical guidelines
Cost-benefit analysis
Ethics committees
Punishment
Give 2 limitations of using ethical guidelines to deal with ethical issues.
BPS guidelines are general as it is impossible to cover every situation.
Allows researchers to avoid responsibility as they can claim they ‘followed the guidelines’ despite committing horrendous atrocities against human kind such as lying to a participant.
Give 2 limitations of using a cost-benefit analysis to deal with ethical issues.
Very difficult to predict all the positive and negative outcomes prior to a study.
Can justify unethical practices if the benefits are high enough.
Give a method for dealing with informed consent when it is not possible to do so.
Presumptive consent: asking a similar group of people whether they would agree to participate in the study. If they agree, it is presumed the real participant group would say the same.
Give a method for dealing with deception.
Debriefing: post-research interview where Ps learn the true nature of the study and to restore them to the state they were in when the study began.
