20/02/23
Applications of Professional Psychology
Unit One: Ethics & Governance
What is ‘ethics’?
The dictionary definition of ethics is:
A set of moral principles; a theory, or system of moral values.
i.e. morality; what is right and what is wrong.
In psychology, there needs to be steadfast moral principles and values,
because professional ethics cannot be subjective. For example, the BPS
(British Psychological Society) set the ethical principles in Psychology. We
must conduct our research in accordance with these guidelines and
principles.
BPS Code of Human Research Ethics
https://www.bps.org.uk/guideline/bps-code-human-research-ethics
This code lays out a set of general principles that are applicable to all
research contexts and which are intended to cover all research with
human participants.
Most research will configure around human research. There are 5 key
ethical considerations:
1. Protection From Harm
2. Informed Consent
3. Confidentiality
4. Deception
5. Debriefing
There are also 4 core principles for psychological researchers:
1. Respect for the autonomy, privacy, and dignity of
individuals and communities
2. Scientific integrity
3. Social responsibility
4. Maximising benefits and minimising harm
What is the point in an ethics committee?
It is necessary to protect participants and researchers. Two examples of
scientists who did not do that are:
o Milgram (1963)
Stanley Milgram conducted a study in the 60s, where two
participants became a ‘teacher’ and ‘learner’. Wrong answers led to
electric shocks. The study was trying to look at compliance and
obedience, 18 years post-WWII.
o Joseph Mengele
Nazi doctor who conducted experiments on holocaust victims.
It is also necessary to protect the discipline/science:
Applications of Professional Psychology
Unit One: Ethics & Governance
What is ‘ethics’?
The dictionary definition of ethics is:
A set of moral principles; a theory, or system of moral values.
i.e. morality; what is right and what is wrong.
In psychology, there needs to be steadfast moral principles and values,
because professional ethics cannot be subjective. For example, the BPS
(British Psychological Society) set the ethical principles in Psychology. We
must conduct our research in accordance with these guidelines and
principles.
BPS Code of Human Research Ethics
https://www.bps.org.uk/guideline/bps-code-human-research-ethics
This code lays out a set of general principles that are applicable to all
research contexts and which are intended to cover all research with
human participants.
Most research will configure around human research. There are 5 key
ethical considerations:
1. Protection From Harm
2. Informed Consent
3. Confidentiality
4. Deception
5. Debriefing
There are also 4 core principles for psychological researchers:
1. Respect for the autonomy, privacy, and dignity of
individuals and communities
2. Scientific integrity
3. Social responsibility
4. Maximising benefits and minimising harm
What is the point in an ethics committee?
It is necessary to protect participants and researchers. Two examples of
scientists who did not do that are:
o Milgram (1963)
Stanley Milgram conducted a study in the 60s, where two
participants became a ‘teacher’ and ‘learner’. Wrong answers led to
electric shocks. The study was trying to look at compliance and
obedience, 18 years post-WWII.
o Joseph Mengele
Nazi doctor who conducted experiments on holocaust victims.
It is also necessary to protect the discipline/science:
