ethics Flashcards
What is the role of the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) code of ethics?
The BPS code of ethics provides guidelines for psychologists to ensure research is conducted ethically, prioritizing participants’ welfare, ensuring informed consent, protecting privacy, and minimizing harm.
What are the main ethical principles outlined by the BPS code of ethics?
The main ethical principles include respect for persons (informed consent, right to withdraw), competence, responsibility, integrity, and justice (fair treatment and non-discrimination).
What is informed consent in psychological research?
Informed consent involves fully informing participants about the nature, purpose, and potential risks of the study and obtaining their voluntary agreement to participate.
What is the issue of deception in psychological research?
Deception refers to misleading participants about the true aims of a study. It can be justified if no harm is caused, but researchers must debrief participants afterward and ensure that deception is ethically warranted.
What is the right to withdraw?
The right to withdraw is a fundamental ethical principle that allows participants to leave the study at any time without penalty or loss of benefits.
What are the potential ethical concerns with confidentiality in research?
Confidentiality ensures that personal information about participants is kept private. Ethical concerns arise if researchers disclose personal information without consent, violating participants’ privacy.
What is debriefing in psychological research?
Debriefing involves providing participants with full information about the study, including its purpose and any deception used, after the study is completed. It ensures transparency and reduces any negative effects.
What is the role of protection from harm in psychological research?
Protection from harm means researchers must ensure participants are not exposed to physical or psychological harm during or after the study. They should minimize risks and ensure participants’ well-being.
What ethical issues can arise from the use of vulnerable groups in research?
Ethical issues with vulnerable groups (such as children or individuals with mental disorders) include ensuring that they are protected from harm, obtaining consent (often from a guardian), and avoiding exploitation.
What is the purpose of ethical review boards in research?
Ethical review boards (e.g., Institutional Review Boards) assess research proposals to ensure they meet ethical standards and that the study will not cause harm to participants.
What are ethical issues in using animals in psychological research?
Ethical issues with animal research include ensuring humane treatment, minimizing suffering, and ensuring that the research benefits outweigh the potential harm to the animals involved.
What are the possible consequences of not following ethical guidelines in research?
Failing to follow ethical guidelines can lead to harm to participants, legal consequences, loss of credibility, and a negative impact on the field of psychology.
How can ethical issues be addressed in research design?
Ethical issues can be addressed by following ethical guidelines, obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, minimizing harm, and being transparent with participants about the purpose and procedures.
What are ethical concerns with using deception in research?
The use of deception can lead to a breach of trust and psychological harm. It should only be used when absolutely necessary and when no other alternatives are possible. Participants should be fully debriefed afterward.
What are the potential ethical concerns related to participant anonymity?
Ethical concerns with anonymity arise if personal data is not kept confidential or if participants’ identities are inadvertently revealed during or after the research.
How do researchers handle ethical issues when dealing with sensitive topics?
Researchers handling sensitive topics must ensure that they take extra precautions to protect participants’ privacy, provide appropriate support, and be particularly mindful of any potential psychological distress.
