ethics Flashcards
what do ethics involve?
systematising, defending, and providing standards by which behaviour can be judged to be right or wrong
what ate normative ethics?
Normative ethics: the practical task of arriving at moral standards that regulate right and wrong conduct
what are two key approaches in psychological ethics?
consequantialism
denotology (duty)
what is consequentialism? what concept does this approach tie into?
Kant
Consequentialism –the rightness or wrongness of an act depends upon its consequences
This approach ties into Utilitarianism–emphasises the role of pleasure or happiness as a consequence of our actions
what is deontology? what concept does this approach tie into?
Kant
Deontology (Duty)–certain acts are right or wrong in themselves, not necessarily in terms of their consequences
links into the idea of kant’s categorical imperatives - commands or moral laws all persons must follow, regardless of their desires or extenuating circumstances
who explored the idea of consequentialism vs deontology in ethics?
kant
how does Johnson and Tudor’s case study explore ideas of consequentialism vs deontology in ethics?
Data collected from this study has had very beneficial consequences but the study was morally wrong (induced stutter group)
–> consequentialism would argue that this study was ethically sound, deontology would argue differently
does the BPS code of conduct follow a code of consequentialism or deontology?
deontology
what is psychological egoism?
psychological egoism - self-oriented interests ultimately motivate all human actions
what are the main two ethical codes used in research today?
World Health Organisation
*guide for conducting medical research with human subjects
British Psychological Society: Code of Ethics and Conduct & Code of Human Research Ethics *guidelines for carrying out psychological research.
what are the 4 principles of the BPS code of ethics and conduct?
respect, competence, responsibility, integrity
what are the 3 principles which make up the BPS code of conduct?
- code of ethics and conduct
- code of human research ethics
- practice guidelines
BPS code of ethics: respect (3)
- dignity and worth of ppt
- sensitivity to power imbalance
- consent, privacy and confidentiality
BPS code of ethics: competence (3)
- high standards of professionalism
- working within limits of knowledge and skill
- caution in making knowledge claims
BPS code of ethics: responsibility (3)
- responsibilities to persons and peoples, to the general public, and to the profession and science of Psychology
- professional accountability
- avoid harm or misuse of power
BPS code of ethics: integrity (3)
- honesty, openness and candour
- fairness
- maintaining professional boundaries
what are the 4 principles of the BPS code of human research ethics?
respect for the autonomy and dignity of persons, scientific value, social responsibility, maximising benefit and minimising harm
BPS code of human research ethics: respect for the autonomy and dignity of persons (4)
- inform of nature of research
- avoid discriminatory practices
- ensure self determination (protect against coercion)
- ensure privacy
BPS code of human research ethics: scientific value (1)
- taking accountability for research quality
BPS code of human research ethics: social responsibility (3)
- clarifying purpose of research
- awareness of potential outcomes (predicted and unpredicted)
- acknowledgement of limitations
BPS code of human research ethics: maximising benefit and minimising harm
- identifying potential risks to ppt
- measures to minimise or manage risk
what are the 7 key practical considerations in ethics?
- Risk
- Valid consent
- Confidentiality
- Giving advice
- Deception
- Debriefing
- Professionalism
practical considerations in ethics: what is risk? how must researchers address it?
risk - potential physical or psychological harm, discomfort or stress
researchers must - identify and inform ppt of risks, develop management strategies
practical considerations in ethics: what is valid consent? how must researchers address this?
informed consent - ppt who are able to consent (above 16 and medically able to do so) should be instructed of the nature of the study and researchers should obtain written consent
practical considerations in ethics: when is written consent not needed?
for public records research or some field research
practical considerations in ethics: according to the mental capacity assessment, when is someone unable to give consent?
The Act says that a person is unable to make a decision if unable to: understand the information relevant to the decision, retain the information, use or weigh the information, communicate his or her decision (by any means).
practical considerations in ethics: how is right to withdraw addressed as a part of valid consent?
- consent - ppt can consent to their information being used or withdraw it at any time
- ppt told they can do this from the start with no judgment or prejudice
- can withdraw at any point - should be informed of time restrictions
practical considerations in ethics: when is giving advice needed?
Giving advice is ethical if:
- it forms an intrinsic part of the study
- it has been agreed with the participant in advance
- it has been subject to ethics review in advance
practical considerations in ethics: what are the risks of giving advice?
- if researcher obtains evidence of problems with advice given - ppt must be told immediately
- researchers must exercise giving advice with caution and never off an opinion that is outside their expertise
practical considerations in ethics: what are the main two types of deception?
Deception by commission –actively misleading
Deception by omission – failing to disclose all details (often accidental e.g timings of study)
practical considerations in ethics: how can researchers address issues of deception?
debriefing
- active intervention which ensures ppt are provided with sufficient information to fully understand the nature of the research at the earliest opportunity
practical considerations in ethics: what are the purposes of debriefing?
- ethically address issues of deception
- providing information to P about their role in the study both before and after they participate
- attempts to reduce any distress that may have been or are likely to be caused by the study
practical considerations in ethics: how can researchers maintain professionalism in their research?
- avoid plagiarism - credit
- report with honesty and accuracy the results of studies
- professional boundaries
