Week 7-Ethics

Question 1

What 3 dilemnas does ethics cover?

Answer 1

1.moral decisions whether good or bad
2.the language of right and wrong
3.our rights and responsibilities

Question 2

Explain the theory-based approach to consequentialism

Answer 2

-it’s results-based so the outcome determines whether its good or bad
-the morally right action a person does is based on the best overall consequence

Question 3

What are the two principles behind consequentialism?

Answer 3

1.right/wrong solely depends on the results of the act
2.the more good/favourable the consequences, the better/more justified the act

Question 4

Give two strengths of consequentialism

Answer 4

1.It’s practical and flexible
2.It’s clear and simply reflects on the consequences

Question 5

Give three weaknesses of consequentialism

Answer 5

1.hard/unrealistic to predict all the possible consequences of an action
2.no type of act is inherently wrong(its the intention that matters)
3.Its the consequences that matter not the person who the act

Question 6

What’s the main difference between deontology and consequentialism?

Answer 6

C=consequence focused
D=rule focused

Question 7

Explain deontology (duty+logos=science or study of)

Answer 7

-it’s rules-based, emphasising the relationship between duty and morality of human actions
-morality is judged based on the adherence to rules i.e. focus on the person, not the consequences

Question 8

What are the principles behind deontology?

Answer 8

-to do the right thing and follow moral rules
-Immanuel Kant was a philosopher promoting this ideology saying to act from duty and focuses on the motives not the consequences

Question 9

What does informed consent involve?

Answer 9

includes details of:
-the purpose, duration and procedures
-the risks discomforts or benefits
-the limits on confidentiality/anonymity e.g., who it may be passed onto
-incentives
-right to withdraw and contact info
-Children or vulnerable/incapable adults? Parents or guardians/ someone with appropriate legal authority for consent

Question 10

What are the exceptions to informed consent?

Answer 10

-observational studies in a public place
-info in the public domain e.g., the internet

Question 11

Explain discomfort and harm

Answer 11

– Protection from physical and mental harm (when writing the application form, we must address this issue)
– Risk no greater than in everyday life (should be disclosed if risky and reviewed by ethics panel)
– Vulnerability? may be unable to provide consent
– Psychological/emotional distress must be addressed
– Debriefing and contact details

Question 12

Explain confidentiality and anonymity

Answer 12

– Right to expect information provided will be confidential and not identifiable.
– If confidentiality/anonymity cannot be guaranteed the participants must be informed.

Question 13

Explain deception

Answer 13

– Needs a strong scientific/medical justification for deceiving in the first place
– Or if likely to object or show unease once debriefed.
– Sufficient information at the earliest stage for P’s
– Keeping participants naïve to the true aim of the study is not deception – it protects the quality of your data

Question 14

Explain what debriefing is

Answer 14

debrief asap if deception used. Tends to go over the:
– Purpose/results.
– Deception/discomfort issues.
– Procedural problems.

Question 15

Explain non-participation and withdrawal

Answer 15

– Participation is voluntary
– Participants can ask for their data to be withdrawn
– Withdraw from the study at any time – even retrospectively
– Steps for data to be destroyed

Question 16

What did Pittenger (2003) suggest in terms of the distinction between public/private behaviour?

Answer 16

-is it widespread? anonymous? open/public forums?
-confidential/limited access forums?

Question 17

Is debriefing required if public?

Answer 17

no, only debrief if deception/naivety is involved (whether done via electronic/telephone)

Question 18

Unethical experiments:Prefrontal Lobotomy – late 19th and early 20th century why was it unethical?

Answer 18

– Severing connections in the brain’s frontal lobe to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and other mental illnesses
– Negative outcome: personality changes, lack of inhibition(less self-conscious, more anxious), empathy, patients could no longer live independently
However did show the frontal lobe plays a role in many cognitive functions e.g., executive functions, empathy etc.

Question 19

Unethical psychology experiments:Tuskegee Syphilis Studies (1932 - 1972) why was it unethical?

Answer 19

– Intended to study the natural course of syphilis – 399 black men were left untreated despite available penicillin
– 128 participants died, 40 wives infected, 19 children born with congenital syphilis, families suffered stigma

Question 20

Unethical psychology experiments:Zimbardo (1971) – Stanford Prison Experiment why was it unethical?

Answer 20

–Wanted to investigate the source of abusive behaviour in the prison system
– Halted after 6 days due to physical and mental harassment of the ‘prisoners’ by the ‘guards. At least five of the prisoners had suffered emotional trauma.

Question 21

Unethical psychology experiments:Milgram (1963) – Obedience to Authority why was it unethical?

Answer 21

■ Would people really carry out acts that clashed with their conscience if directed to by an authority figure?
– Extreme emotional stress.
– No informed consent
– Not allowed to withdraw

Question 22

Unethical psychology experiments:Watson & Rayner (1920) - Little Albert why was it unethical?

Answer 22

■ Conditioning a phobia.

Question 23

Unethical psychology experiments:MacCulloch & Feldman (1967) - Homosexual Aversion Therapy why was it unethical?

Answer 23

■ Attempted to ‘cure’ homosexuality.
– Dangerous and ineffective (APA 1994).

Question 24

Unethical psychology experiments:Bandura (1961,1963) - Bobo Doll Experiment why was it unethical

Answer 24

■ Can violent behaviour be learned through observation?
– Children were basically trained to act aggressively.
– Possible long-term consequences.

Question 25

Why are rats/mice usually used in animal research?

Answer 25

–Inbred so reduces genetic variance
–Different strains, high anxiety, susceptibility to alcoholism etc. – similar genetics to human
–Excluded from US animal welfare acts
–Rats’ brain structure resembles primitive elements of human brains, so they can be used to model some behaviours in humans

Question 26

What are 4 arguments for animal research?

Answer 26

1.Finding new drugs and treatments.
2.Improving human health.
3.Ensures safety of drugs.
4.Similarity to humans.

Question 27

What are 4 arguments against animal research?

Answer 27

1. It’s cruel and inhumane.
   2.Drugs aren’t necessarily safe.
2. It’s expensive.
   4.Animals and humans are never exactly the same.
   could use consequentialism/deontology to argue animal research

Question 28

What are further questions discussed in animal research?

Answer 28

1.Could a greater variety of animals be used? e.g., dogs, primates etc.
2.Medical/psychological experiments? is cosmetic too far?
3.Invasive/non-invasive?
4.How far should we go? electric shocks?

Question 29

What are the strict ethical guidelines in animal research?

Answer 29

– Housing
– Feeding
– Cleanliness
– Healthcare
– No unnecessary pain.
- Ethical approval is needed.

Question 30

How is there balance in animal research?

Answer 30

-increasing concerns from the public
-litigation (the process of taking legal action)
■ Fear of harm disproportional to actual risk?
■ Consequences for future research?