Lecture 2Jo Mustone

Ethics in Psychological Ethics in Psychological ResearchResearch

Milgram's Experiment

Stanley MilgramStanley Milgram

Milgram

Milgram’s ExperimentMilgram’s Experiment

British Psychological British Psychological Society: Society: on ethicson ethics

‘ethics as the science of morals or rules of behaviour’.

‘psychology as the scientific study of behaviour both internal (for example, cognition and feelings) and external (for example, language and actions)’.

Before embarking on professional work the ethical implications should be considered as part of the work context together with legal, professional and other frameworks.

BPS: Areas of concernBPS: Areas of concernAreas of concern include:

Multiple relationships – where the psychologist owes an allegiance to several different stakeholdersPersonal relationships – where the psychologist infringes or violates the trust of a client or clientsUnclear or inadequate standards of practice – where the psychologist is unaware of or disregards the current systems in use by peers or others in similar workBreaches of confidentiality – where rules and constraints are broken or not clarified in advance with stakeholdersCompetence – where excessive or misleading claims are made or where inadequate safeguards and monitoring exist for new areas of workResearch issues including falsifying data, failing to obtain consent, plagiarism or failing to acknowledge another’s work or contributionHealth problems affecting performance or conductBringing the profession or the Society into disrepute

Question

Think about Milgram’s research in light of the areas of concern….

Should we be concerned about his1.methods?2.Participants?

Gaining approval

university, hospital, prison ethics committeesproposal: background rationale

proposed methodology

recruitment & data collection procedureobtaining informed consentduration of session with each participantmaterials usedstats analysiswho will have access to the dataqualifications and experience of

investigator

RespectCompetenceResponsibilityIntegrity

Main concerns: Deception, potential harm, informed consent, confidentiality

Four ethical principlesFour ethical principles

What are they agreeing too? Do they have enough info. to decide?Plain languagePurpose, procedures and approximate durationFree to withdraw/refuseConsequences of (not) taking partDiscomforts/risks (e.g. research on pornography)Benefits – personal, academic, communityLimits to confidentiality (e.g. prison research)Contact details. Questions.

Research Ethics: informed consentResearch Ethics: informed consent

Unacceptable where physical pain or emotional distress are concerned (see Milgram)If no alternative, can be used (with consultation)Explain deception ASAPOpportunity to withdraw dataDistinction – deliberate lies & omission of details

Research Ethics: deceptionResearch Ethics: deception

Carried out ASAP

Correct misconceptions

Not guaranteed to deal effectively with harm

Procedures in place – researchers are not usually qualified counsellors

Research Ethics: debriefingResearch Ethics: debriefing

Question

How would you score Milgram on

1.Respect, Competence, Responsibility & Integrity

2.Informed consent3.Deception4.Debriefing

Not usual for undergraduate students

Laws and regulations: acquisition, care, use, disposal/retirementSupervision: comfort, health, humane treatment

Minimise adverse aspects of animal research: e.g. pain, comfort, freedom from infection and illnesses

Stress/pain etc. – only if can be justified on the basis of ‘scientific, educational, or applied value’

Anaesthesia before and after surgeryIf termination is necessary – as painlessly and quickly as possible

Research Ethics: animalsResearch Ethics: animals

Ethics for studentsEthics for students

You must talk through ethical considerations with your supervisorInclude discussion of ethics in your research reportsEnsure you use, consent forms etc.Discuss the forms you use in your methodology and link to appendicesInclude the forms as appendices

How do I write it…?How do I write it…?

This research will follow the strict ethical guidelines laid out by the British Psychological Society’s guide of ethics and conduct (see http://www.bps.org.uk/the-society/code-of-conduct), paying particular reference to section 3.3: Standard of protection of research participants. The BPS lists four key areas which psychological research must abide by: respect, competence, responsibility, and integrity. These will both complement and extend the research ethics guidelines laid out by Birmingham City University.

BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct

Pay particular attention to: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 3.3, 3.4,

EthicsEthics