Intro to Psychology – Day 5

Ethical Issues – Students will1. Be able to evaluate the ethical issues

involved in psychological research.2. Define ethics.3. Understand the role ethics play in

psychological research.

What are ethics?◦ Standards for proper and responsible behavior.

Psychologists follow ethical standards to promote the dignity of the individual, foster human welfare, and maintain scientific integrity.

Specific ethical guidelines established by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Ethics

Confidentiality – What is it?◦ Treat records and revelations confidential

Exception: RARE – when the individual reveals that he plans to harm someone.

Informed Consent – What is it?◦ People studied need to agree, or consent, to participate

only after they have been given an overview of the study and a choice whether or not to participate.

Deception – What is it?◦ May be used only when psychologists believe:

The benefits outweigh the harm That the individuals would have been willing anyway That the participants receive an explanation of the study after

it has occurred.

Research with People

Psychologists use animals only when there is no alternative and when they believe that the potential benefits outweigh the harm.◦ APA has ethical rules surrounding this issue, but

controversy continues to swirl around it.

Research with Animals

Library time to work on experiments