Ethics

• What is the responsibility of researchers in psychology towards participants?

  To look after their participants
• What are participants' rights in psychological research?

  To be informed and give consent
• Who decides the ethical guidelines for psychological research in the UK?

  The British Psychological Society (BPS)
• What is the BPS's role in psychological research?

  To write ethical guidelines
• What is the nature of the BPS's ethical guidelines?

  They are advisory and can be bent
• What happens if a researcher seriously mistreats participants?

  They may be expelled from the BPS
• What should happen if participants cannot give consent?

  Consent can be given by a guardian
• What is the right to withdraw in research?

  Participants can end their participation anytime
• What is informed consent in psychological research?

  Participants must understand the study's aims
• What must researchers do regarding participants' personal data?

  They must destroy it if participants withdraw
• What does protection from harm entail for researchers?

  Considering risks to participants' well-being
• What is confidentiality in psychological research?

  Keeping personal records secure and private
• When can confidentiality be broken?

  If a participant or others are in danger
• What is debriefing in psychological research?

  A conversation after the study explaining its purpose
• What should be included in a debriefing?

  Reasons for the research and checking for harm
• What ethical issues can arise in psychological research?

  Balancing participants' rights and valid data collection
• How did Milgram's study breach ethical guidelines?


  It deceived participants and caused harm
• What is demand characteristics in research?

  Participants alter behavior due to awareness of aims
• What are alternatives to informed consent?

  Prior general consent, retroactive consent, presumptive consent
• What is a cost-benefit analysis in research?

  Comparing costs to participants with societal benefits
• What role does an ethics committee play in research?

  They evaluate research based on ethical principles
• What happens at the end of a study regarding ethical issues?

  Debriefing participants about deception and harm
• What can be asked in an exam regarding debriefing?

  To design a debriefing form
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of using deception in psychological research?

  Strengths:

  • Reduces demand characteristics
  • Increases validity of results

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Breaches informed consent
  • Can cause emotional distress
• What are the ethical guidelines in psychological research?

  • Informed consent
  • Right to withdraw
  • Protection from harm
  • Confidentiality
  • Debriefing
• What are the potential costs and benefits of Milgram's study?

  Costs:

  • Emotional harm to participants
  • Ethical breaches

  
  

  Benefits:

  • Insight into obedience to authority
  • Influential in psychology education
• What should be included in a debriefing session?

  • Explanation of the study's purpose
  • Discussion of any deception used
  • Checking for participant harm
  • Offering support if needed