1. CHAPTER 2 Ethics in Psychological Research

2. Questionable Practices
Watson & Rayner (1920)
Little Albert
Landis (1924)
Rat Beheading
Ethics – a set of standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession

3. Developing the APA Code of Ethics
Late 30’s: An empirical approach to forming the code was utilized; the critical incidents technique. (Hobbs Committee)
Nuremberg code (1949)
First APA code of ethics (1953)
Declaration of Helsinki (1964)
Belmont Report (1979)
APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2017 amendments)

4. Developing the APA Code of Ethics
Guidelines for ethical behavior for the practice of research, clinical work, and teaching in psychology
Applies to all of us in the field of psychology
Code contains:
5 general principles
10 standards of practice

5. APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
General Principles
Beneficence and non-malfeasance
Constantly weigh costs & benefits; protect from harm; produce greatest good
Fidelity and responsibility
Be professional; constantly be aware of responsibility to society
Integrity
Be scrupulously honest
Justice
Always treat people fairly
Respect for peoples’ rights and dignity
Safeguard individual rights; protect rights of privacy and confidentiality

6. Research and Publication
Identify potential risks
Protect participants from physical and psychological harm
Justify remaining risks
Obtain informed consent
Take care of participants after the study (debriefing)

7. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans
Judging benefits and costs: the IRB : In 1974, as part of the National Research Act, the federal government mandated that IRBs be in place for any college or university receiving federal funds for research. (IRB = Institutional Review Board)
At least five people, including at least one scientist, one member of the outside community and a minimum of one nonscientist.
Determines whether the project meets ethical guidelines
Some research is exempt; expedited; full review
Key factor: degree of risk to subjects

8. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans
Informed consent and deception in research
Consent: sufficient information to decide whether to participate
Deception rationale
Desire to have subjects act naturally
Milgram (1963) obedience study as an example
Cover story  effect of punishment on learning
Real purpose  limits of obedience to authority
No consent needed in some circumstances
some survey, educational, archival, and observational research

9. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans
Elements of consent: What to include on your consent form
Study’s basic description
Enough information to decide whether to participate
How long participation will take
May quit at any time
Confidentiality and anonymity ensured
Contact information given (researcher, IRB)
Opportunity to obtain final results of the study
Signatures
CONSENT IS A PROCESS, NOT JUST A FORM

10. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans
Historical example of poor consent
Tuskegee syphilis study
MK-ULTRA (CIA & LSD)
Consent with special populations
Children
assent also needed
Children and other special groups (e.g., prisoners)
Special care to avoid feelings of coercion

11. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Humans
Treating participants well
Debriefing
Dehoaxing
Desensitizing
Participant crosstalk
Code allows partial debriefing followed by full report at completion of the study
Research ethics and the Internet
Problems with ensuring consent
Problems with conducting effective debriefing

12. Ethical Guidelines for Research with Animals
The issue of animal rights
Using animals in psychological research
Aids both humans and animals
Sometimes there is no alternative (tissue, simulation/computer model)
The APA Code for animal research / The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Justifying the study
Cost-benefit analysis
No plausible alternatives
Caring for the animals
e.g., expertise with species, upkeep of animal health
Using animals for educational purposes

13. Scientific Fraud Plagiarism Data falsification
Varying degrees (all unethical)
Reasons
Range from individual weakness to societal moral standards
Publish or perish climate in academia

14. Summary
As psychological researchers, we adhere to a Code of Ethics regarding research with humans and animals.
The APA code and IRBs help guide our decisions and actions in conducting research ethically, responsibly, and with integrity.