PS295 Chapter Notes - Chapter 15: Deontological Ethics, Institutional Review Board
CHAPTER 15: ETHICAL ISSUES IN BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH
Approaches to Ethical Decisions
Two obligations of behavioural scientists:
1) provide info that enhances our knowledge and understanding and leads to improvement
of human or animal welfare
2) protect the rights and welfare of participants being studied
-when these two obligations conflict, ethical issues arise
3 approaches to resolving ethical issues:
1) deontology
-ethics must be judged in light of a universal moral code
-certain actions are inherently unethical/should never be performed regardless of
circumstances
-lying is immoral in all situations
-deception in research is always unethical
2) ethical skepticism
-concrete and inviolate moral codes cannot be formulated given diversity of opinions
-ethical rules are arbitrary and relative to culture and time
-ethical decisions must be a matter of each person's own conscience
Document Summary
Two obligations of behavioural scientists: provide info that enhances our knowledge and understanding and leads to improvement of human or animal welfare, protect the rights and welfare of participants being studied. When these two obligations conflict, ethical issues arise. 3 approaches to resolving ethical issues: deontology. Ethics must be judged in light of a universal moral code. Certain actions are inherently unethical/should never be performed regardless of circumstances. Deception in research is always unethical: ethical skepticism. Concrete and inviolate moral codes cannot be formulated given diversity of opinions. Ethical rules are arbitrary and relative to culture and time. Ethical decisions must be a matter of each person"s own conscience: utilitarian. Maintains that judgement regarding the ethics of an action depend on the consequences of that action. Behavioural researchers are bound to two sets of ethical guidelines: american psychological association apa"s ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct, regulations set forth by federal government and state and local laws.
