Ethical issues in psychology www.psychlotron.org.uk Focus on the important questions: Why are there so many ethical issues in psychology? Why are ethics important? What are the issues? What is and isn’t acceptable? How should we make ethical judgments?

Why are there so many ethical issues in psychology? The study of behaviour involves living creatures whose right to be treated with respect and care can easily be infringed The outcomes of psychological research sometimes reveals aspects of human nature which are unpleasant or socially sensitive Outcomes, particularly of social influence research could be used by political organisations to exert social control or incite prejudice

Why are ethics important? www.psychlotron.org.uk A number of reasons including: Moral obligation to society Professional values (‘amelioration of the human condition’) Image of the discipline and profession Practical reasons e.g. getting participants

What are the issues? www.psychlotron.org.uk Research practices that threaten (directly or indirectly) the well-being of the participants e.g.: Deception Informed consent (lack of) Protection from psychological harm

Ethical perspectives Deontological Teleological www.psychlotron.org.uk The correctness of an action lies in itself, not its consequences E.g. lying is always wrong, even if it produces a good outcome Teleological The correctness of an action is determined by its intended consequences E.g. lying is good if it is done for the ‘right’ reasons (like protecting a person from harm)

Ethical Perspectives Utilitarian www.psychlotron.org.uk Utilitarian A form of teleological ethics The moral correctness of an action is determined by its consequences for society as a whole “The greatest good for the greatest number” Psychological researchers usually take a utilitarian view, but with certain absolute prohibitions

Making ethical decisions www.psychlotron.org.uk Where ethical problems arise, a cost-benefit analysis is often applied, where: Costs are the (potentially) negative consequences of the research – usually for the Pps involved Benefits are the (potentially) positive consequences of the research for the Pps or (more usually) for society

Cost-benefit analysis www.psychlotron.org.uk Provides a framework for making ethical decisions Involves subjective judgements about costs and benefits Consequences cannot always be anticipated e.g. Zimbardo, Milgram