Ethics

Question 1

What is the Nuremberg Code?

Answer 1

A code created after the second world war, outlining 10 principles governing the ethical conduct of human experimentation

Question 2

What is the Declaration of Helsinki?

Answer 2

A new code (1964) that developed upon both the principles of the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Geneva, that outlined physicians’ ethical duties

Question 3

Why is the Declaration of Helsinki important?

Answer 3

It is not legally binding, but it forms the basis of the systems and laws that regulate ethical conduct

Question 4

Why was the Little Albert study unethical?

Answer 4

The experimenters never reversed the conditioning
The risk of harm and distress to Little Albert was too high due to his age

Question 5

Why were Milgram’s obedience studies unethical?

Answer 5

Participants showed signs of distress throughout the study - the risk of harm is too high

Question 6

What was ethical about Milgram’s studies?

Answer 6

He followed up with his participants to ensure they did not have long standing issues afterwards

Question 7

Why was the Stanford Prison Experiment unethical?

Answer 7

Distress was caused to the participants
There was poor methodology, e.g. Zimbardo had a dual role as experimenter and prison warden

Question 8

What can happen if researchers breach ethical principles?

Answer 8

They can become subject to legal action

Question 9

What is consent?

Answer 9

Participants should be informed of the objectives of the investigation and their right to withdraw
If the study could have negative consequences, they must be informed of this
Payment and other incentives must not be used to pressure participants

Question 10

What is deception?

Answer 10

Participants should not have information withheld from them or be given misleading information if they will shown unease once debriefed
It is only acceptable if it necessary to hide the aims of the study from the participants to avoid affecting the results - this must be stated in the report

Question 11

What is debriefing?

Answer 11

After the results have been obtained, the researchers should provide participants with any necessary information to complete their understanding of the research - can be either a form or a verbal debrief, or both

Question 12

What is confidentiality?

Answer 12

Where the researcher obtains personal details but does not share them

Question 13

What is anonymity?

Answer 13

Where the researcher never obtains personal details

Question 14

What is best practice with confidentiality and anonymity?

Answer 14

Anonymise all data as soon as possible - if there is no reason for data to be associated with the identities of the participants, personal details should never even be obtained

Question 15

What is protection of participants?

Answer 15

Investigators have a responsibility to protect participants from physical and mental harm during the study - the risk of harm must be no greater than in ordinary life, and the benefit of the research should outweigh the risk

Question 16

What is worthiness of research?

Answer 16

Researchers should be able to explain the aim of their study and why it is interesting and important

Question 17

What are potential ethical issues with observations?

Answer 17

These studies must respect the privacy and psychological wellbeing of the participants
Unless consent is given, observational research is only acceptable in situations where individuals would expect to be observed by strangers

Question 18

What is the role of a researcher in giving advice?

Answer 18

If a researcher obtains evidence of physical or psychological problems that the participant is unaware of, they have a responsibility to inform the participant if they believe that by not telling them, their wellbeing may be endangered

Question 19

What are the potential risks of researchers giving advice?

Answer 19

They cannot directly give advice as they are researchers, not clinicians, but they should instead direct participants to the appropriate resources

Question 20

What are the potential risks of research participation schemes in university psychology courses?

Answer 20

Risk of coercion as the credits are necessary to pass the unit
Participants are WEIRD: western, educated, and from industrialised, rich and democratic countries - this produces issues with the sample
There are other ways participants are not representative of the general population, e.g. age and sex