Ethics

• Ethical issues

  Problems that arise when someone wishes to act in a way that we would not typically consider to be morally acceptable
• Ethical issues in psychology

  Problems that arise when someone wants to investigate something that either its nature might raise ethical issues, or if methods used by researchers create moral problems
• When do ethical issues arise in psychology?

  When the needs of the researcher conflict with the rights of the participant
• Deception

  • Ppts misled about true aim of research or not informed that study is happening at all
  • Necessary to avoid demand characteristics
  • Often used despite potential emotional harm it could cause to ppts
• Lack of informed consent

  • Deception = automatic LofIC
  • Informed consent = ppt fully understands implications of agreeing to take part in research
  • Issue arises in ANY study where ppts not given enough info about investigation
• Protection of ppts from harm

  • Possible for physical injury to be caused to ppts in studies
  • Psychological injury more likely -> embarrassment, stress, emotional/mental distress
  • All harm should be avoided
  • Protection from harm = researchers' responsibility to keep ppts safe
• Right to withdraw

  • Ppts should always be entitled to leave study if they want to
  • Ppts prevented from leaving = ethical issues arise
• Confidentiality

  • Researchers' obligation to not publicise personal details about their ppts which make them identifiable to individuals beyond those conducting study
• Privacy

  • Ppts' right to have control over how personal info is collected + used
  • Researchers have to respect ppts keeping some info to themselves/not be observed without knowing
  • Researchers can't be too intrusive + make ppts uncomfortable knowing they have given away too much about themselves
• BPS (British Psychology Society)


  A society that ensures psychology is not breaking any laws or moral guidelines and working for the good of the public
• If research raises ethical issues, who is involved in the decision to go ahead with it?

  Ethical committees are often set up in universities, research facilities, etc; they consider research proposals by considering the rights + dignity of ppts
• What would happen to someone who went ahead with research anyway despite the ethical committee considering it unethical?

  They would likely be barred from that specific organisation, e.g. the BPS
• Cost-benefit analysis

  • Weighing out how findings of study will positively contribute to psychology/society against potential harm it could cause to ppts
  • Difficult to predict the costs/benefits prior to study + to quantify them based on who is judging them
  • Ignores human rights in favour of practical use researchers will get from collected data