1. Ethical Issues in Research
Psychology – Chapter 2 Section 5

2. Main Idea:
Evaluate the ethical issues involved in psychological research.
Why it Matters Now
Ethics are standards for proper and responsible behavior in research.

3. Questions:
Summarize the purpose of ethical standards in the profession of psychology.
Explain the purpose of ethics in psychological research.
Discuss the importance of confidentiality and informed consent.
How does confidentiality play an important role in psychological research?
Why is informed consent important to psychological research?
Critical Thinking Skills
Do you believe that it is ethical or unethical to deceive people about the purpose of research studies?

4. Section Vocabulary Section Vocabulary: Definition: Ethics
Informed Consent

6. McGill University Study
Examples of Unethical Studies
McGill University Study
Ewan Cameron (McGill U. in Montreal) administered psychedelic drugs to 52 unsuspecting patients in order to carry out brainwashing experiments for the CIA.
Experiments disclosed publicly for the first time in in the New York Times.
Not until 1988 that the survivors received settlement.

7. Research with people
Ethical standards limit the type of research that psychologists may conduct.
Ethical principles that study participants must not be harmed.

8. Examples of Unethical Studies
Tuskegee Study
“Beginning in the 1930s, 399 men signed up with the U.S. Public Health Service for free medical care. The service was conducting a study on the effects of syphilis on the human body. The men were never told they had syphilis. They were told they had "bad blood" and were denied access to treatment, even for years after penicillin came into use in By the time the study was exposed in 1972, 28 men had died of syphilis, 100 others were dead of related complications, at least 40 wives had been infected and 19 children had contracted the disease at birth."

9. Code of Ethics
Nazis
The need for regulation and codes of behavior emerged from revelations of the research atrocities committed by the Nazis.
Nuremberg Code
This 1947 code for biomedical research was the first to focus on the importance of informed consent.
Helsinki Declaration
This 1964 declaration provided guidance in such areas as the use of animals for research purposes.

10. Code of Ethics
The American Sociological Association (ASA) adopted a formal code of ethics in 1969.
American Psychological Association (1982)
The Ethical Principles in the Conduct of Human Research with Human Participants
The National Research Act (1974)
Passed by Congress for the purpose of protecting human subjects participating in experiments.
Of course, while it’s essential to have codes, the responsibility for ethical research ultimately lies with the individual researcher.

11. Ethical Factors No Pressure Communicate
Never any pressuring of participants.
Safety
Safety of participants essential.
Credit
Every researcher must receive precise, appropriate credit.
Communicate
One should try to make results known to participants.
Ill Usage of Research
One should be conscious of possible bad uses of research.

12. CONFIDENTIALITY
Treat records of research participants and clients as confidential as possible.
People are more likely to disclose true information if they feel what they say remains between them and the researcher.
In rare circumstances a psychologist may disregard confidentiality if they feel that the client may be a threat to someone or themselves.

13. Informed Consent Tell participants who is conducting study
Why was subject singled out for participation? e.g. random sample e.g. recently given birth to 1st child etc.
What is the time commitment? e.g. 45 minutes to complete the survey 13

14. Informed Consent
Any benefits for the participant to be expected? Realistically, there are often few direct benefits.
Any potential risks, and how have these been managed?
Information like the following should be participated to participants:
“Some people may experience negative emotions when discussing parental alcoholism. If you would like to discuss these with someone, please feel free to call the study director at the number below.” 13

15. Deception
Sometimes it is necessary to perform an experiment without consent or require the participants to be unaware of the true intent of the study.
Fake an assault in the street to gauge reaction of bystanders – e.g. who will intervene and who will do nothing.
Element of surprise is essential
Debriefing is mandatory.

16. Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Most Colleges/Universities have Institutional Review Board (IRB) 22 22

17. Questions Asked by IRBs
About the Investigator
Who is the primary investigator, and who is supervising the study?
About Research Participants
What are general characteristics of participants (e.g. age, sex etc.)?
Any special characteristics of participants (e.g. children, alcoholics, mentally retarded etc.)?
Any other institutions/individuals cooperating/cosponsoring the study?
What is general state of health (mental and physical) of the participants?
How will subjects be selected for, or excluded from, participation in this study? 24

18. Questions Asked by IRBs
Procedure:
What will the subjects be asked to do, or what behaviors will be observed by the researchers?
Will deception be used? If yes, why is it necessary?
What is nature of the deception, and when will the debriefing take place?
Material:
E.g., if electrical or mechanical equipment will be used, how has it been checked for safety? 26

19. Questions Asked by IRBs
Risks
Any immediate risks to the subjects, including possibly causing them embarrassment, inconvenience, or discomfort?
Are there any long-range risks to the subjects?
If there are risks, what is the necessity for them, and how will subjects be compensated for facing such risks? 29

20. IRBs are very Concerned about Possible Psychological Harm
E.g.: a project involving interviewing of women who’ve been raped.
Obviously consent must be obtained.
They’re free to withdraw at any time.
Perhaps have psychological counseling available in case of distress.