Ethical Guidelines in Psychology

Overview

• The American Psychological Association (APA) was established in 1892.
• The first ethical committee was created by the APA in 1947.
• The Institutional Review Board (IRB) was established in 1974 to protect human participants in research.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

• All research involving human participants at colleges and universities must be approved by an IRB.
• The IRB assesses:
  • Informed consent: Ensures participants have adequate information and understand the risks.
  • Voluntary participation: Participants must be free to decide whether to partake in the study.
  • Risk assessment: Ensures the study is not unnecessarily risky and provides adequate protection.
  • Privacy and confidentiality of participants.
  • Benefit-risk ratio: Benefits of the study should outweigh the risks.
  • Protection from physical and psychological harm.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

• Regulates and oversees animal care in research, teaching, and testing.
• Ensures ethical treatment of animals in research.

Key Principles for Ethical Research

• Ethical studies need to create a positive environment for subjects.
• Participants must trust that they won't be harmed and that the study benefits society.
• Integrity and transparency in research are crucial.
• Debriefing participants at the end of the study is important.

Ethical Standards

• Established by the APA to protect human and animal subjects.
• Researchers must respect participants' rights and dignity.

Conclusion

• Ethical guidelines ensure that research is conducted responsibly and protects all participants involved.