Ethics

Question 1

A system of ethics is…

Answer 1

a set of standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession

Question 2

Researchers in psychology are obligated to follow…

Answer 2

the code of ethics established by the APA

Question 3

3 studies that occurred before the code existed

Answer 3

1. Little Albert Study
2. McGraw’s Study
3. Dennis’ Study

Question 4

Little Albert’s Study

Answer 4

Purpose: see if Albert could be conditioned to be afraid

Conditioning procedure: pair loud noise with rat

Question 5

McGraw’s Study

Answer 5

Purpose: nervous system maturation

Procedure: repeated pin pricks to children

Question 6

Dennis’ Study

Answer 6

Purpose: see how early development would be affected by reducing environmental and social stimulation

Procedure: raising children in isolation

Question 7

The APA published their first code of ethics in 1953 which was influenced by…

Answer 7

the Nuremberg code of ethics

Question 8

Currently the ethics code includes a set of 5 general principles:

Answer 8

1. Beneficence & Nonmaleficence
2. Fidelity and Responsibility
3. Integrity
4. Justice
5. Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity

Question 9

What is the role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

Answer 9

The basic purpose of IRBs is to formally evaluate whether any research demonstrates ethical pitfalls

Question 10

Proposals that are exempt from full review

Answer 10

• Conducted in an educational setting for training purposes
• Purely naturalistic observations
• Survey research with no sensitive topics
• Archival research

Question 11

Proposals receiving expedited review

Answer 11

• Psychology lab experiments

- Participants won’t experience uncomfortable levels of stress or have their behaviour manipulated

Question 12

Proposals requiring a full review

Answer 12

• All other research that is not listed

Question 13

Consent

Answer 13

Sufficient information to decide whether to participate

Question 14

Deception rational

Answer 14

Desire to have subjects act naturally

Question 15

Milgram Study

Answer 15

• Studied obedience

- Used deception on participants

Question 16

2 studies that illustrate ethical violations

Answer 16

Willow Brook Hepatitis Study

Project MK-ULTRA

Question 17

Willow Brook Hepatitis Study

Answer 17

• Children with mental disabilities were purposely infected with hepatitis
• Parents coerced into admitting their children

Question 18

Project MK-ULTRA

Answer 18

• Mostly soldiers but also people from the American public were given doses of LSD without their knowledge

Question 19

How do infants give consent?

Answer 19

Parents provide informed consent

Question 20

How do children give consent?

Answer 20

Parents provide informed consent AND children assent to the study

Question 21

Debriefing serves 2 related purposes:

Answer 21

1. Dehoaxing

2. Desensitizing

Question 22

Dehoaxing

Answer 22

Revealing the true purpose of the study and the hypothesis being tested

Question 23

Desensitizing

Answer 23

Process of reducing stress or other negative feelings that might have been experienced

Question 24

2 major types of serious misconduct in science:

Answer 24

1. Plagiarism

2. Data falsification