Social Psychology

• Ethics


  Rules that researchers in social psychology follow to make sure they treat people fairly and keep them safe
• Importance of ethics in social psychology

  • Ensure research and practice uphold the rights and well-being of participants
  • Help protect people from getting hurt during studies
  • Make sure researchers are honest and trustworthy
• Informed consent


  • Researchers explain what will happen and ask if participants agree to take part
• Ethical guidelines in social psychology

  • Protect individuals from harm
  • Promote trust and credibility within the field
• Reasons ethics are paramount in social psychology

  • Protection of participants
  • Maintaining trust and credibility
  • Avoiding research misconduct
  • Promoting diversity and inclusion
  • Accountability and responsibility
• Informed consent


  Participants must be fully informed about the purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits of the research before agreeing to participate
• Voluntary participation


  Participants should participate willingly without coercion or undue influence
• Confidentiality


  Researchers must protect the confidentiality of participants' data and ensure that they cannot be identified
• Deception


  Researchers should avoid deception unless absolutely necessary, and debrief participants afterward to ensure they understand the true nature of the study
• Minimizing harm


  Researchers must minimize the risk of physical or psychological harm to participants
• Debriefing


  After the study, participants should be debriefed, informed about the study's purpose, and provided with any necessary support
• Ethical dilemmas in social psychology

  • Balancing research needs with participant rights
  • Dealing with sensitive topics
  • Maintaining objectivity and avoiding bias
  • Ensuring cultural sensitivity
• Milgram's experiment involved deception, psychological harm, and lack of informed consent
• The Stanford Prison Experiment involved deception, psychological harm, lack of informed consent, and lack of debriefing
• The Tuskegee Syphilis Study was an unethical study conducted by the US Public Health Service
• Psychological Harm


  • Simulated prison environment led to significant psychological distress for participants, particularly the "prisoners" who experienced emotional trauma and feelings of powerlessness. Some participants had to be removed from the study due to severe emotional reactions.
• Lack of Informed Consent

  • Participants did not provide fully informed consent to participate in the study. They were not adequately informed about the potential risks and psychological harm they might experience as a result of their involvement.
• Lack of Debriefing


  • While participants were eventually debriefed after the study, the psychological harm they experienced during the experiment was not adequately addressed. The debriefing process should have provided participants with support and assistance in processing their experiences.
• The "Tuskegee Syphilis Study" was conducted by the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) between 1932 and 1972.
• The study aimed to observe the natural progression of untreated syphilis in African American men.
• Participants were recruited from rural areas in Alabama and were told they were receiving free healthcare and treatment for "bad blood," a term commonly used for various ailments.
• Participants were not informed that they had syphilis or that the study was investigating the effects of untreated syphilis.
• Lack of Informed Consent

  • Participants were not provided with informed consent. They were not told about the true nature of the study or the fact that they had syphilis. As a result, they were denied the opportunity to make an informed decision about their participation.
• Deception


  • Participants were deceived about the purpose of the study and the treatment they were receiving. They were led to believe they were receiving free healthcare, while in reality, they were being denied proper treatment for syphilis, even after effective treatment became available.
• Harm to Participants


  • The participants in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study were denied treatment for a potentially life-threatening disease. This led to unnecessary suffering and harm to the participants and their families.
• Violation of Human Rights


  • The study violated the participants' fundamental human rights to autonomy, dignity, and access to healthcare. It perpetuated racial discrimination and exploitation of vulnerable populations.
• Rights violated in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study

  • Right to Informed Consent
  • Right to Health
  • Right to Non-Discrimination
  • Right to Dignity and Respect
• The American Psychological Association (APA) provides ethical guidelines for psychologists, including those working in social psychology.
• The British Psychological Society (BPS) offers ethical guidance and support for psychologists conducting research and practice.
• Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) review and approve research involving human participants to ensure compliance with ethical standards.
• Beneficence and Nonmaleficence


  Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm. They work to maximize benefits and minimize harm to individuals and society.
• Fidelity and Responsibility


  Psychologists establish relationships of trust with clients and colleagues, and they are aware of their professional responsibilities. They maintain high standards of conduct and act with integrity in their professional relationships.
• Integrity


  Psychologists are honest, truthful, and accurate in their professional and scientific activities. They strive to be aware of and manage their personal biases and conflicts of interest.
• Justice


  Psychologists strive to treat all individuals and groups fairly and with respect. They are mindful of cultural, individual, and role differences and avoid discrimination or bias in their work.
• Respect for People's Rights and Dignity


  Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all individuals and strive to protect the rights of those with whom they work. They are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status.
• Professionalism


  Psychologists adhere to the highest standards of professional behavior and conduct. They maintain competence in their areas of practice through ongoing education and training, and they contribute to the development of the profession through research, teaching, and mentoring.
• Preparing and Submitting Research Proposals to Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

  Researchers must prepare detailed research proposals outlining the study's purpose, methods, potential risks, and benefits. These proposals are then submitted to IRBs for ethical review. IRBs evaluate the proposals to ensure that the research adheres to ethical guidelines, protects participants' rights, and minimizes potential harm. Researchers must address any ethical concerns raised by the IRB before they are granted approval to proceed with their studies.
• Conducting Studies with Integrity, Transparency, and Respect for Participants' Rights

  Researchers must conduct their studies with integrity, transparency, and respect for participants' rights. This includes obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring confidentiality and privacy, and minimizing risks of harm. Researchers should provide participants with clear and accurate information about the study's purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits, allowing them to make informed decisions about their participation. Throughout the study, researchers must maintain open communication with participants, address any concerns promptly, and ensure that participants are treated respectfully and ethically.
• Publishing Research Findings Accurately and Ethically

  Researchers have a responsibility to publish their research findings accurately and ethically. This includes reporting all relevant data, methods, and results accurately, transparently, and without bias. Researchers should disclose any limitations or ethical considerations associated with their studies, including any conflicts of interest or funding sources that may have influenced the research. Additionally, researchers should adhere to publication guidelines and ethical standards set forth by academic journals and professional organizations, ensuring the integrity and credibility of their research findings.
• The self in a social world


  Understanding oneself within social contexts is crucial for navigating the complexities of human interaction and fostering meaningful relationships