1. Unit Topic: Methods of Research in Psychology
Lesson Topic: Ethics in Research

2. Lesson Topic: Ethics in Research
Research in psychology opens doors to understanding human thought and behavior. Through research, psychologists can learn how people will respond in situations, to different stimuli, or to medication or treatment. This understanding can be applied in a variety of ways.
As important as psychological research is, it is equally important for researchers to follow strict guidelines for ethical standards. Researchers are responsible for carrying out plans that cause no emotional or physical harm and avoid bias.

3. Lesson Topic: Ethics in Research
Do Now: Define ethics
What does it mean to be ethical?
What makes something unethical?
Why would a psychology experiment be considered unethical?

4. Lesson Topic: Ethics in Research Vocabulary
Look up and define the following terms as they relate to research in psychology:
Ethics
Bias
Informed consent
Limited deception
Confidentiality
Debriefing
Withdraw
Placebo effect
Volunteer bias
Expectancy bias
Single blind study
Double blind study

5. Activity 1: Explaining Ethical Concerns in Research
Several of the most powerful and important experiments in psychology were also the most unethical. Although flawed, these experiments led to the rigid ethical standards that guide research in psychology today
Your task:
Based on the vocabulary terms that you have defined, research prominent psychological experiments that have been considered to be unethical (see list for suggestions). Which three (3) are the most unethical? Explain your choice using the language found in your vocabulary definitions.
Be sure to describe what the ethical concerns are and (if possible) how the researchers attempted to or failed to resolve the problems.

6. Activity 1: Explaining Ethical Concerns in Research
See Unethical Experiments article posted under assignments
Possible experiments to consider include:
Stanley Milgram’s - obedience to authority
Wendell Johnson – Monster Study
Monkey drug trials of the 1960’s – addiction, etc…
Carney Landis – Facial Expressions
Phillip Zimbardo – Stanford Prison Experiment
John Watson – Baby Albert
Harry Harlow – rhesus monkeys, attachment and contact comfort
John Money – The case of David Reimer
You are not limited by this list but, be sure to double check the information that you find. Bias is not only found in research!

7. Activity 2: How do researchers in psychology avoid issues of bias and ethical concern?
Write up a mock research plan (based on what you have learned in previous lessons) describing how you could ethically test a new medication or treatment for depression.
Describe the ethical concerns that may arise
How will you deal with them?