Ethical costs of research - controversies

• Kahn et al (1986)

  Followed 250 people over 8 weeks, BZ superior to placebos
• Reibel et al (2001) 


  MBSR decreased levels of anxiety and depression over an 8 week period, 136 patients
• Supernanny Jo Frost?


  Used the naughty step to correct bad behaviour, shouting although unpleasant is a form of positive reinforcement
• McAllister (1969) 


  Increased teacher disapproval and praise minimised inappropriate talking
• Seligman (2009)

  Introduced a positive psychology curriculum can enhance a persons strength and improve their mental wellbeing
• Sherman and Strang (2007) 


  Reviewed 29 studies of face to face meetings in US, UK and Aus, all showed reduced reoffending rates, RJ improved the prison system by making it less focused on punishment
• Robinson et al (1981) 


  Use of token economies can improve performance in reading for children with hyperactivity issues
• BPS guidelines

  Based on 4 principles: respect, competence, responsibility and integrity
• Suitable risk management techniques

  Relevant and timely professional guidelines, using research for goal of benefitting society as much as possible
• What are ethics?

  Correct rules of conduct
• What happens if there is a conflict between participants and researcher?

  PPs should take priority
• What is the trouble with ethics?

  researcher is too close for them to fully evaluate it, too rigorous we lose insight of true insight, not possible to adhere to all guidelines
• Myers and diener, costly to society

  False view of mental health issues, ethnocentric
• Kohlberg, costly to society

  Androcentric study concluding females have inferior moral reasoning
• Dr bender, costly to society


  Subjected hundreds of children to electric shock therapy and didn’t show any sympathy
• Aversion project, costly to society

  Aubrey levin in charge of curing homosexuality, men shocked after thinking about sex with pictures of naked men