“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower

ETHICS in Psychological Experiments

Ethics v. Morals ethics are external standards, provided by the institutions, groups or culture to which an individual belongs. For example, lawyers, policemen and doctors all have to follow an ethical code laid down by their profession, regardless of their own feelings or preferences. Ethics can also be considered as a social system or a framework for acceptable behavior.

Ethics v. Morals Morals may also be influenced by culture or society, but they are personal principles created and upheld by the individuals themselves. One professional example of ethics conflicting with morals is the work of a defense attorney. A lawyer’s morals may tell her that murder is reprehensible and that murderers should be punished, but her ethics as a professional lawyer, require her to defend the client to the best of her abilities, even if she knows that the client is guilty.

ETHICS are standards of conduct that distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad, justices and injustice

 Why it is important to use ethical behavior? Why would someone want to be ethical in his or her own life or at work? What steps should you follow to make ethical decisions?

The fundamental ethical question in psychological research is `Does the end justify the means?` a balance must be struck between the interests of the participants and the value of research WHY?!

What is the main goal of psychology? to improve the quality of human life to do this it is necessary to carry out research with human participants BUT: there is a duty to respect the rights and dignity of all participants This means that experimenters must follow certain moral principles and rules of conduct!!

The two main principles…. minimize harm informed consent.

Minimize Harm can be physical or psychological deception is considered a form of psychological harm If the psychologist is unable to design the experiment without any risk of harm, he/she must give patients a consent form to sign that clearly explains all of the risks involved in participating in the study.

Informed Consent In studies involving children, informed parental consent should be obtained When studies occur with those who have limited understanding or mental limitations, special consent must be given

Other ethical expectations: Information should remain confidential Participants should be fully debriefed Subjects should be aware of the right to withdraw at any time

Milgram Experiment Why was the Milgram experiment (the electric shock for making a mistake one) unethical?