Ethical Considerations (OCR GCSE Psychology): Revision Note

The BPS ethical guidelines

• Before psychologists carry out research, they must consider how participants will be affected by taking part

  • Ethical guidelines protect participants and ensure psychologists act responsibly and professionally

• In the UK, the British Psychological Society (BPS) sets out clear ethical rules that psychologists must follow when conducting research

  • The BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct (opens in a new tab)ensures psychologists act responsibly and protect participants’ rights

• An ethics committee reviews all research proposals to ensure they meet these rules or standards before approval

  • The main principles are respect, competence, and responsibility, helping to protect both participants and researchers

Lack of informed consent

• Informed consent means participants understand what the study involves and agree to take part voluntarily

• Participants should be provided with clear details about:

  • the purpose of the study

  • what they will be required to do, e.g. lie in an MRI scanner, recall a list of digits, run on a treadmill for 15 minutes

  • how long the task will take

  • any possible risks involved

• With this information, participants can make an informed decision about whether to take part

• If participants are under 16, parental or guardian consent must be obtained

• In some studies (e.g. covert observations), full consent cannot be obtained beforehand, as participants may not know they are being studied

Dealing with a lack of informed consent

• If consent cannot be obtained in advance, researchers must gain retrospective consent after the study

• Participants must be debriefed at the end of the study and told the true aim of the research

• Researchers should check for any misunderstandings or distress and ensure participants are happy for their data to be used

• Participants must always have the right to withdraw, even if they have already given consent

Deception

• Deception occurs when participants are misled about the true aim of the study or what it involves

• It should be avoided unless it is essential to maintain the study’s validity (e.g. to prevent demand characteristics)

• If deception is used, researchers must justify why it is necessary and take steps to protect participants

  • E.g. a researcher may pretend a bystander is in danger to test helping behaviour, but only if no lasting harm is caused

Dealing with deception

• All deception must be revealed and explained during the debriefing

• Participants must be told the true nature and purpose of the study

• Researchers should check for any negative effects and offer counselling if needed

• Participants should have the right to withdraw their data if they no longer wish it to be included

Protection from harm

• Psychologists must ensure participants are not exposed to physical, psychological, or emotional harm during or after a study

• Harm may include stress, embarrassment, anxiety, or a loss of self-esteem

  • E.g. In Milgram's study, many participants experienced extreme stress, with some even suffering uncontrollable seizures

• Participants should generally leave the study in the same state as when they entered

• While some may benefit from participation (e.g. gaining confidence or insight), researchers must always aim to minimise distress

Dealing with protection from harm

• During the debrief, researchers should ask participants about their experience and check for any signs of harm

• Counselling or other support should be offered if distress has occurred

• Participants should have the right to withdraw their data if they no longer wish to be included

• Confidentiality must be maintained — participants’ names and data should remain anonymous so they cannot be identified