The BPS (British Psychological Society) Code of Research Ethics
(2014) (pp141-142)
Ethical issues: researchers follow codes or rules of conduct when
carrying out research to protect participants from harm.
The 4 key principles are:
Respect for the autonomy,
privacy and dignity of
individuals and communities
Scientific integrity
Social responsibility
Maximising benefit and
minimising harm
The ethical guidelines in detail:
Informed consent
Deception
Confidentiality

Right to withdraw
Protection of participants
Now, think back to the clips we have watched.
List three experiments that broke one of the guidelines. ONLY REFER TO HUMAN STUDIES.
Milgram’s obedience experiment The experimenter kept telling them to continue,
even when they didn’t want to so therefore they
didn’t have the right to withdraw.
Homework
There are a separate set of guidelines for psychologists working with animals.

1) Find out what these guidelines are.
2) Referring to three animal experiments, explain how the researchers
a) met the ethical guidelines and b) broke any ethical guidelines.
Pavlov’s dogs He operated on them to insert the cheek tube so
they weren’t protected from pain and discomfort.
However, he did ensure that they were fed and
looked after so…