Ethical issues

ethical guidelines are a set of rules/ moral principles psychologists follow when conducting research.

their purpose is to:

• protect pps
• balance pps rights and researcher needs
• provide boundaries - know the limits

they are produced by:

• BPS - British Psychological Societies
• APA - American Psychological Association

studies highlighting issues - milgram. loftus and palmer

the main ethical issues are:

1. informed consent -- overcome by presumptive/prior consent

2.confidentiality/privacy -- cannot be overcome

3.physical/psychological harm -- overcome by role play

4.right to withdraw -- cannot be overcome

5.deception -- role play

6.use of animals

7.debrief -- cannot be overcome

cost - benefit analysis helps to determine whether or not a study should be undertaken. the ends (results) should justify the means (procedures)

3 reasons for use of animals

• 1. reproduce faster
• 2. dont have same rights
• 3. different capabilities to humans so useful to examine and compar to human behaviours

3 reasons not to use animals

• 1. unethical /harm
• 2. consent cant be given
• 3.physically humas and animals are not simialr so cannot generalise

BPS guidelines on animal research are:

• reduce- the numbers of animals/risk and protect humans,animals & environment
• refine-experimetnal procedures to minimise suffering
• replace-use of animals e.g by invitro methods

the use of animals in research is regulated by the Animals Act (1986). research on live animals cannot commence until a licence has been granted by the Home Office.

the BPS code in relation to animal studies highlight on the following

• legislation - psychologists must conform to current legislation
• choice of species - must be suited to the purpose of the research and should be aware of previous success
• number of animals - smallest numers used
• procedure - any procedure that may cause pain should be carefully evaluated and alternative considered. if studying in natural setting, should be minimum interference.
• other issues - researchers should also be considered with the procurement of animals, housing and animal care, final disposal and the use of animals in researching.

Bateson (1986) developed a system suitable for use by researchers in evalutating the use of non-human pps based upon:

• quality of research
• degree of animal suffering
• certainty of benefit

a Bateson decision cube is for deciding whether a research project should proceed (clear space) or it shouldnt (solid). all facts must be high except animal suffering to use animals

ethical arguments

+ ease human suffering (drug trials)

+ ethical guidelines are not applicable in the same way as humans (BPS)

+ animals have no emotions

+ 3 R's to protect them

- animals have an inherent value, so should be treated the same

- permanent behaviour changes (BPS and Animal Act)

- specieism (low order animals)

- animal rights

scientific arguments

+ animals produce more quickly

+ results quickly obtained (fewer rules)

+ modern methods are less invasive

+comparatice psychology

- differences between humans and animals - physically impractical.

- animals may react differently to drugs (thalidomide)

- animals so feel pain (sneddon-fish)

- invetro - not as good as real thing