Belmont Report (1979)

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Belmont Report (1979)

Respect for persons - informed consent

Justice - selection of subjects

Beneficence - assessment of risks and benefits

Main Points of APA Ethics Code for Research:

informed consent

deception

protection of harm

freedom from coercion

privacy

debriefing

humane treatment of animals

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What is the psychology diversity problem and what does this problem entail for psychological science, communities, and individuals?

The psychology diversity problem refers to the lack of representation of diverse groups—such as women, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds—within the field of psychology, both in research and practice. This lack of diversity limits the perspectives, experiences, and cultural contexts considered in psychological studies, which can skew findings and lead to biased conclusions. For psychological science, this problem reduces the generalizability of research, affecting its validity. For communities and individuals, it means that certain groups may not have access to culturally sensitive treatments, and psychological services may fail to address the specific needs of diverse populations.

What is the history behind today’s ethical principles and standards in psychology?

Common Rule 1991 - The Common Rule is a federal policy that governs human subject research in the U.S. It is built on the Belmont Report’s principles and established detailed regulations for Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), informed consent, and protections for vulnerable populations in research.

Belmont Report 1979 - In response to the Tuskegee scandal, the U.S. government issued the Belmont Report, which outlined three core principles for ethical research: respect for persons (informed consent), beneficence (do no harm), and justice (fair distribution of risks and benefits).

Syphilis Study Exposed 1972 - Public awareness of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study surfaced in 1972, causing outrage and leading to increased scrutiny of ethical research practices. The revelation pushed reforms in how human subjects are treated in research.

Declaration of Helsinki 1964 - Building on the Nuremberg Code, the Declaration of Helsinki provided additional guidelines for medical research involving human subjects, particularly emphasizing the importance of informed consent and protecting vulnerable populations.

Nuremberg Code 1947 - After WWII, the Nuremberg Trials exposed Nazi atrocities, leading to the development of the Nuremberg Code. This set of ethical guidelines emphasized voluntary consent, the need to avoid harm, and the importance of scientifically valid research.

Nazi Experiments 1946 - During World War II, Nazi doctors conducted horrific experiments on prisoners in concentration camps without consent, violating human rights and causing immense suffering. (Josef Mengele)

Syphilis Study Begins 1932 - The Tuskegee Syphilis Study was a U.S. Public Health Service study that began in 1932, where African American men with syphilis were deceived and denied treatment to study the natural progression of the disease. This unethical experiment continued for decades.