Lecture 6: More on Ethics

Respect for Dignity of Persons Respecting the rights of individuals Respecting the rights of individuals Non-discriminatory Non-discriminatory Fees that reflect fair market value Fees that reflect fair market value Informed consent Informed consent Especially when there is more than minimal risk or behavior is changed Especially when there is more than minimal risk or behavior is changed Participants in research must know what they have consented to, otherwise, it is deception Participants in research must know what they have consented to, otherwise, it is deception Third party consent, e.g., 17 year-olds at University Third party consent, e.g., 17 year-olds at University Confidentiality and its limits Confidentiality and its limits

Student responses to informed consent procedures Student responses to informed consent procedures What goes in a consent form? What goes in a consent form? Identifying information Identifying information Overview of “what they will do” Overview of “what they will do” Potential risks Potential risks Clear statement of benefits Clear statement of benefits What happens to data? Confidentiality? Limits to confidentiality? What happens to data? Confidentiality? Limits to confidentiality? Right to withdraw at anytime for any reason with no penalty Right to withdraw at anytime for any reason with no penalty Feedback of results? Publication of data? Dissemination plans? Group vs. single subject data. Feedback of results? Publication of data? Dissemination plans? Group vs. single subject data.

What is Minimal Risk? “The standard of minimal risk is commonly defined as follows: if potential subjects can reasonably be expected to regard the probability and magnitude of possible harms implied by participation in the research to be no greater than those encountered by the subject in those aspects of his or her everyday life that relate to the research, then the research can be regarded as within the range of minimal risk” (Section C.1). “The standard of minimal risk is commonly defined as follows: if potential subjects can reasonably be expected to regard the probability and magnitude of possible harms implied by participation in the research to be no greater than those encountered by the subject in those aspects of his or her everyday life that relate to the research, then the research can be regarded as within the range of minimal risk” (Section C.1). Interpretation? Anything involving deception, invasive body procedures or fluids, some manipulations (e.g., therapy), recalling extremely stressful memories Interpretation? Anything involving deception, invasive body procedures or fluids, some manipulations (e.g., therapy), recalling extremely stressful memories Filling out self descriptive questionnaires, engaging in play with children, reading, watching computer screens is all fairly normative activity – Minimal risk Filling out self descriptive questionnaires, engaging in play with children, reading, watching computer screens is all fairly normative activity – Minimal risk

Responsibility to Society Help the profession of psychology as a whole Help the profession of psychology as a whole Help the public understand psychology Help the public understand psychology Correct misinterpretations of the public Correct misinterpretations of the public Monitor and promote ethical practice Monitor and promote ethical practice Attend to conflicts between law and ethics Attend to conflicts between law and ethics Training in ethics Training in ethics

Responsible Caring Promote welfare and minimise harm Promote welfare and minimise harm Be aware of limitations Be aware of limitations Conduct pilot studies to see if there are unknown risk Conduct pilot studies to see if there are unknown risk Debrief in such a way that participants learn something Debrief in such a way that participants learn something Avoid dual relationships Avoid dual relationships How do you handle participants you see outside of research? How do you handle participants you see outside of research?

Integrity in relationships Avoid misrepresentation of education or qualifications Avoid misrepresentation of education or qualifications The media calls us “Psychologists” The media calls us “Psychologists” Correct misperceptions Correct misperceptions Be honest and fair Be honest and fair Avoid deception, or if it is necessary, take corrective action after full disclosure Avoid deception, or if it is necessary, take corrective action after full disclosure Do not use inducements that compromise consent Do not use inducements that compromise consent