Ethical costs of conducting research

• What are ethical issues?

  Conflict between needs of researchers to produce research that benefits society & needs of participants who have rights to be treated fairly.
• Benefits to economy:


  E.g, research on psychoactive drugs important in treatment of mental health. McCrone et al (2008) estimated direct costs of mental health in England at around £22.5 billion a year. Report commented on use of drugs vs psychotherapies, which may produce similar benefits to meds but are more expensive. Evidence-based research on effective drug therapies important in reducing costs & helping people return to work.
• Benefits to society:


  E.g, Bowlby's research on separation & attachment showed importance of emotional care in early child development. UNICEF indicate continuing influence this has on development policies in ensuring children grow into productive members of society & thus improving world economy. Before his research, people believed physical care was all that's necessary- this attitude persists in some parts of world. UNICEF (2014)- effects of living through war can have just as detrimental effect on brain development as lack of food.
• Watson & Rayner (1920)


  Conditioned emotional responses in baby. Emotions can be learned- can shape feelings through psychotherapy. Baby had psychological harm which may have lasted lifetime. His mother moved away before he could be debriefed, so may have had lifelong aversion to animals according to Russ Powell et al (2014).
• Milgram's study of obedience (1963)


  Showed extent to which people willing to harm others. Some participants said it taught them important lesson in life. Slater (2004)- horrified. Said you can never really debrief someone after experiment like that. Can't remove knowledge of how he acted. Participant Jacob re-evaluated whole life & realised his vulnerability to authority- gave him confidence to come out as gay.
• Potentially negative consequences for society:

  Could be instances where not carrying out research could result in negative outcomes for society. Sieber & Stanley (1988) drew especial attention to studies in which there's potential social consequences or implications, directly for participants or class of individuals represented by research.
• Socially sensitive research:


  Research questions (e.g, are there racial differences in IQ or is homosexuality inherited) may be damaging to members of racial group or sexual orientation as it appears to add scientific credibility to prevailing prejudice. Always some social consequences to participation in research, but with socially sensitive research there's increased potential for more indirect impact on participant's family, co-workers, group they represent.
• What did Sieber & Stanley say about socially sensitive research?

  Ignoring sensitive research is not a responsible approach to science. Suggest avoiding controversial topics is also avoidance of responsibility (psychologists have duty to conduct such research). To reduce likelihood of misuse of data, psychologists should be energetic in taking responsibility for what happens to their findings. Aware of possibility that results of their research may lead to abuse & discrimination.
• Risk management techniques used by psychologists:

  Manage ethical risks in research through development of professional guidelines for conduct of their studies. BPS (2009)- code of ethics & conduct. 4 core principles= respect, competence, responsibility & integrity. Advises on specific situations. Professional associations in other countries developed own codes, e.g, Canadian psychological society. Has different approach- emphasises ethical decision-making. Other groups just state ethical principles (closes off discussion & discourages from taking personal responsibility for behaviour).
• CPS provides...


  hypothetical dilemmas to encourage psychologists to open up discussion