Ethics

ETHICS

Ethical Issues from the Researcher's Point of View

Informed Consent - may give away the aims.

Deception - acceptable when information is withheld, but less acceptable if dishonest.

The Right to Withdraw - biases the sample.

Protection from Psychological & Physical Harm - difficult to guarantee because it's unpredictable.

Confidentiality - publication of findings may reveal identity, even if anonymous.

Privacy - hard to protect when participants are studied without their awareness.

Ethical Issues from the Participant's Point of View

Informed consent - basic human right based on knowing what is involved.

Deception - prevents informed consent, and may distrust psychologists in the future.

The Right to Withdraw - compensates for situations involving deception.

Protection from Psychological & Physical Harm - risks should be no greater than everyday life.

Confidentiality - a legal right (Data Protection Act)

​​​​​​Privacy - even in a public place, people may not wish to be observed.

Dealing with Ethical Issues: Strategies

Ethical Guidelines - tell psychologists what is acceptable.

Cost-benefit Analysis - judged from the participant's perspective or perspective of society.

Ethics Committees - approve studies based on cost-benefit considerations.

Punishment - may be barred from work as a psychologist.

Dealing with Ethical Issues: Specific Ethical Issues

Informed Consent - sign a form, presumptive consent, right to withdraw.

Deception - debriefing is required and the right to withhold data.

The Right to Withdraw - part of informed consent.

Protection from Harm - researcher can stop the study.

Confidentiality maintain anonymity.

Privacy - only acceptable in a public place.

Evaluation

Guidelines - close off discussion and absolve researcher of responsibility.

Cost-benefit Approach - just creates new dilemmas, according to Baumrind.

Informed Consent - participants may not understand what is actually involved.

Presumptive Consent - hypothetical agreement is different from real agreement.

Debriefing - can't turn the clock back, the harm is already done.

The Right to Withdraw - participants may feel they can't.

Protection from harm - may only be apparent with hindsight.

Confidentiality - people may work out identity.

Privacy - lack of universal agreement about what counts as public.