Lecture Notes: Ethics in Psychology Research - The Case of Project MKUltra

Introduction

• Project MKUltra: A top-secret CIA operation in the 1950s
  • Administered LSD to U.S. citizens without their knowledge
  • Aim: To explore LSD as a potential mind control weapon
• Purpose: Examine ethics in psychological research using this as a case study

Ethical Principles in Psychology

• Developed by the American Psychological Association (APA)
• Key Guidelines:
  • Informed Consent
  • Protection from Harm
  • Deception
  • Freedom from Coercion
  • Debriefing
  • Confidentiality/Anonymity

Informed Consent

• Definition: Participants are aware and agree to participate in the study
• Requirements:
  • Occurs before the study begins
  • Participation must be voluntary
  • Participants can withdraw at any time
  • Awareness of study purpose, logistics, and risks
• Project MKUltra:
  • Violated informed consent
  • Participants were unaware they were given LSD
  • No voluntary participation

Protection from Harm

• Goal: Minimize harm (physical and psychological)
• Harm Types:
  • Physical: Electric shock, physical distress
  • Psychological: Emotional distress, anxiety
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Balance pros and cons
• Project MKUltra:
  • Participants experienced fear, anxiety, hallucinations
  • No protection from harm

Deception

• Definition: Misleading or hiding the truth
• Permitted when:
  • Benefits outweigh costs
  • Advancement of scientific knowledge
• Project MKUltra:
  • Participants misled about taking LSD
  • Sex workers acted as CIA accomplices

Freedom from Coercion

• Definition: Participants should not be forced or pressured
• Coercion Methods:
  • Threats, power dynamics
  • Influence through authority
• Project MKUltra:
  • Participants pressured with threats to extend drug effects
  • Vulnerable individuals coerced

Debriefing

• Occurs After Study:
  • Explains study purpose and addresses deception
  • Participants can ask questions
• Project MKUltra:
  • No debriefing provided
  • No follow-up on participants' well-being

Confidentiality and Anonymity

• Definitions:
  • Anonymity: Participants' identities unknown
  • Confidentiality: Information kept private
• Project MKUltra:
  • Initial confidentiality but later breaches
  • Participant identities eventually revealed

Conclusion

• APA and other organizations like IRB ensure participant rights
• IRB: Institutional Review Board evaluates research proposals
• Ethical guidelines crucial in protecting participants in research

Additional Notes

• References: Suggested to research Milgram shock experiments and Ash conformity study for examples of deception in research
• Notable Figures:
  • Whitey Bulger and Ken Kesey as participants in MKUltra
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