SFP - Ethical Guidelines in Psychology Lesson

Learning Targets:

  • Identify how ethical issues inform and constrain research practices.
  • Describe how ethical and legal guidelines protect research participants and promote sound ethical practice. 

AP psychology course and exam description, effective fall 2020. (n.d.). https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-psychology-course-and-exam-description.pdf

Ethical Guidelines in Psychology 

Ethics

Image of researcher taking notes on a clipboard. Ethics are rules that govern all psychological research. The American Psychological Association developed a strict code of ethics that must be followed when conducting research with humans and animals. Before conducting any research, you must first submit a proposal to an ethics committee outlining the details of the study and asking for approval. The APA also reserves the right to suspend or expel any psychologist who breaks ethical guidelines.

An institutional review board (IRB) is a committee that reviews, approves, and monitors biomedical and behavioral research conducted on humans. Its purpose is to ensure that participants' rights are protected during the course of research. The APA acts as the IRB for most psychological research. However, school or university research usually has its own committee.

Animal Research

When using animals to conduct research there must be a clear scientific purpose. The research should aim to increase the knowledge of behavior and/or the understanding of the species. They must be treated humanely and acquired legally. Why do psychologists choose to work with animals? In general, animals may be easier to work with because they are less complex, easier to control, and have shorter life spans.

Human Research

In research that involves humans, the researcher must take care to ensure participation is voluntary. The participant should not be forced to partake in the study and if at all possible, an alternative should be offered. The purpose of the study must also be clearly stated. These factors may influence the willingness of the participant to want to participate in the study. All personal information about the participant must be kept confidential. The participant should not incur any significant risk either physically or psychologically from participation in the study and afterward should be debriefed to correct any misconceptions about the study.

Module Review

Test your knowledge of Psychological History and Research Methods in the activity below:

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION