ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
ETHICAL ISSUES WITH HUMAN PARTICIPANTS
ETHICAL ISSUES
The first main issue relates to INFORMED CONSENT + DECEPTION.
Ideally participants should be given the opportunity to know about
all aspects of the research before agreeing to take part – this is a
basic right.
HOWEVER – the issue is that full information may compromise the
integrity of the findings – knowing the full aims may alter
participant’s behaviour, rendering the results meaningless.
Second main issue relates to HARM + what is considered too much
harm.
With both issues, the decision as to what is acceptable or not is
open to debate.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Current BPS code of ethics + conduct identifies 4 ethical principles
+ includes advice on how these should be dealt with:
1) RESPECT – dignity + worth of all people.
This includes PRIVACY, CONFIDENTIALITY + INFORMED
CONSENT.
Observations of behaviour in public without informed consent
are only acceptable in situations where the people being
studied would expect to be observed by strangers.
DECEPTION is only acceptable when it is necessary to protect
integrity of research, + deception should be disclosed to
participants at earliest opportunity.
Participants should be aware of their RIGHT TO WITHDRAW at
any point of the research.
2) COMPETENCE – psychologists should maintain high standards in
their professional work.
3) RESPONSIBILITY –
Psychologists have a responsibility to their clients, the general
public + to the science of psychology.
Includes protecting participants from physical + psychological
HARM, + DEBRIEFING participants after research to inform
them of the nature + conclusions of the research, to identify
any unforeseen harm, + to arrange for assistance if needed.
4) INTEGRITY –
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
ETHICAL ISSUES WITH HUMAN PARTICIPANTS
ETHICAL ISSUES
The first main issue relates to INFORMED CONSENT + DECEPTION.
Ideally participants should be given the opportunity to know about
all aspects of the research before agreeing to take part – this is a
basic right.
HOWEVER – the issue is that full information may compromise the
integrity of the findings – knowing the full aims may alter
participant’s behaviour, rendering the results meaningless.
Second main issue relates to HARM + what is considered too much
harm.
With both issues, the decision as to what is acceptable or not is
open to debate.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Current BPS code of ethics + conduct identifies 4 ethical principles
+ includes advice on how these should be dealt with:
1) RESPECT – dignity + worth of all people.
This includes PRIVACY, CONFIDENTIALITY + INFORMED
CONSENT.
Observations of behaviour in public without informed consent
are only acceptable in situations where the people being
studied would expect to be observed by strangers.
DECEPTION is only acceptable when it is necessary to protect
integrity of research, + deception should be disclosed to
participants at earliest opportunity.
Participants should be aware of their RIGHT TO WITHDRAW at
any point of the research.
2) COMPETENCE – psychologists should maintain high standards in
their professional work.
3) RESPONSIBILITY –
Psychologists have a responsibility to their clients, the general
public + to the science of psychology.
Includes protecting participants from physical + psychological
HARM, + DEBRIEFING participants after research to inform
them of the nature + conclusions of the research, to identify
any unforeseen harm, + to arrange for assistance if needed.
4) INTEGRITY –
