ETHICS Flashcards
What are the 6 ethical guidelines?
- Deception
- Informed consent
- Confidentiality
- Physical and psychological harm
- Debriefing
- Right with withdraw
What is deception?
When participants are misled or not fully informed about the true nature of the research. The guidelines allow deception only when it is absolutely necessary for the research and when no harm comes to the participants.
Why might researchers want to deceive the participants in their research?
Because it increases ecological and internal validity - demand characteristics and socially desirable answers/bias are less likely to occur
An example of deception in social and cognitive psychology
Social - Milgram told his pps they were taking part in a memory test while they were actually observing obedience to an authority figure
Cognitive - (RMST) Loftus and Palmer deceived pps into thinking they had witnessed a car accident, potentially manipulating their memories through misleading information
What is informed consent?
Pps must be fully informed about the nature, purpose and potential risks of the study before agreeing to participate. They should be aware of their right to withdraw at any time without penalty.
Why my researchers not want to ask for informed consent?
It increases ecological validity if it is most likely a field experiment that will observe participants natural behaviour
Otherwise, it may be because they do not want to give away the aim of the study as it will increase demand characteristics
An example of informed consent in social and cognitive psychology
Social - Zimbardo Stamford prison experiment - Pps were not fully informed of the extreme psychological and emotional stress that they would be experiencing
Cognitive - In case studies such as Clive Wearing, patients cannot necessarily consent to being tested
What is confidentiality?
When personal information and responses should be kept confidential and where possible anonymous. This protects pps privacy and potential harm or embarrassment.
Example of confidentiality in social in cognitive psychology
Social - Zimbardo Stamford prison experiment - Pps were filmed and observed throughout the whole study and pps identities were not kept anonymous
Cognitive - HMs name was not revealed until after his death
What is protection from harm?
Where pps should not be exposed to physical or psychological harm during or after the study. This includes stress discomfort and lasting negative emotional effects.
- Should be feeling positive afterwards
- Should experience no more harm than a normal everyday life
- Should be no long-term effects
An example of protection from harm in social and cognitive psychology
Social - Zimbardo Stamford prison experiment - pps were subjected to intense, emotional and psychological distress
Milgram - participants were also put under a lot of stress
Cognitive - HM was extensively tested for over 50 years which most likely cause psychological harm, the circumstances in which he lost his memory/hippocampus also go against ethical guidelines
What is debriefing?
After the study, pps should be given a full explanation of the studies purpose methods and any deception used. This allows participants to understand what happened and the role they played in the research.
An example of debriefing in social and cognitive psychology
Social - Milgrams pps were thoroughly debriefed and reassured after the experiment. They were also checked up on regularly afterwards by a psychiatrist.
Cognitive - Loftus and Palmer did not fully debrief pps and many were unaware that their memories were being manipulated
What is the right withdraw?
Participants have the right to withdraw from a study at any point without facing negative consequences this principle ensures that participation is voluntary
Examples of right to withdraw in social and cognitive psychology
Social - Zimbardo failed to properly communicate or respect pps right to withdraw (although some did leave he made it difficult for them too and the condition of being in a prison made pps feel like they were not allowed)
Sherif - the boys were not aware that they are part of any experiment therefore they could not simply withdraw
Cognitive - Before Sebastian & Hernandez-Gil began they informed each pps that they had the right to withdraw at any point without consequence
