Honours Seminar in Psychology Lecture 5: Introduction to Ethics

The Honours Student Who Ate Rat Food A 21 year-old honours student is doing his thesiss on the feeding behavior of rats The research paradigm shows that rats get their diet preferences from other rats His Supervisor wonders whether rats would eat the same food as people He asks his honours student to eat cocoa-flavoured rat food and breath on rats Because this is an odd request, the supervisor offers to buy the student a “case of beer”, which turns out to be a 6-pack Are there any ethical violations in this case?

CPA Code: Four levels of decision-making Principle I: Respect for the Dignity of Persons. Emphasis on moral rights, except in circumstances in which there is a clear and imminent danger to the physical safety of any person. Principle II: Responsible Caring. Responsible caring requires competence Principle III: Integrity in Relationships. Openness and straightforwardness are important Principle IV: Responsibility to Society. This principle generally should be given the lowest weight of the four principles when it conflicts with one or more of them. Law vs. Ethics

Ethical decision-making Who is affected? Identification of ethically relevant issues and practices Personal biases, stresses, or self-interest must be considered Development of alternative courses of action. Analysis of likely short-term, ongoing, and long-term risks Choice of course of action Action, and assume responsibility for the consequences of the action. Evaluation of the results of the course of action. Correct negative consequences Prevent future occurrences of the dilemma Empirical, rational, testable, falsifiable, parsimonious

Means to address complaints Use of the code to address dilemma Was there negligence and willfulness? Explanation of action, awareness of issues Way of directing professional behaviour Ultimately ethics is designed to protect individuals as well as the public good

To adhere to the Association’s Code in all current activities as a psychologist. To apply the Code to new and emerging areas of activity. To assess and discuss ethical issues and practices with colleagues To bring to the attention of the Association ethical issues that require clarification or the development of new guidelines or standards. To bring concerns about possible unethical actions by a psychologist directly to the psychologist when the action is primarily a lack of sensitivity, knowledge, or experience, and attempt to resolve To bring concerns about possible unethical actions of a more serious nature (e.g., actions that have caused or could cause serious harm, or actions that are considered misconduct in the jurisdiction) to the person(s) or body(ies) best suited to investigating the situation and to stopping or offsetting the harm. To consider seriously others’ concerns about one’s own possibly unethical actions

What do you think are new areas of ethical issues for psychologists In mental health practice? In the research field? As a society?