1. Ethical issues in psychology Focus on the important questions: Why are ethics important? What are the issues? What is and isn’t acceptable? How should we make ethical judgements? Avoid writing essays about how naughty Milgram & Zimbardo were Use the studies to illustrate your discussion of the issues www.psychlotron.org.uk

2. Why are ethics important? A number of reasons including: Moral obligation to society Professional values (‘amelioration of the human condition’) Image of the discipline and profession Practical reasons e.g. getting participants www.psychlotron.org.uk

3. What are the issues? Research practices that threaten (directly or indirectly) the well-being of the participants e.g.: Informed consent (lack of) Deception Risk of harm (physical/psychological) Confidentiality & privacy (threats to) www.psychlotron.org.uk

4. Ethical perspectives Deontological The correctness of an action lies in itself, not its consequences E.g. lying is always wrong, even if it produces a good outcome Teleological The correctness of an action is determined by its intended consequences E.g. lying is good if it is done for the ‘right’ reasons (like protecting a person from harm) www.psychlotron.org.uk

5. Ethical Perspectives Utilitarian A form of teleological ethics The moral correctness of an action is determined by its consequences for society as a whole “The greatest good for the greatest number” Psychological researchers usually take a utilitarian view, but with certain absolute prohibitions www.psychlotron.org.uk

6. Making ethical decisions Where ethical problems arise, a cost- benefit analysis is often applied, where: Costs are the (potentially) negative consequences of the research – usually for the PPs involved (NB: SSR) Benefits are the (potentially) positive consequences of the research for the PPs or (more usually) for society www.psychlotron.org.uk

7. Cost-benefit analysis Provides a framework for making ethical decisions Involves subjective judgements about costs and benefits Consequences cannot always be anticipated e.g. Zimbardo, Milgram www.psychlotron.org.uk