Psychology · Year 10 · Research Methods · 4.º Período

Ethical Issues in Psychology

Students will examine the ethical guidelines set by the British Psychological Society (BPS). They will analyse historical case studies to understand the importance of informed consent and protection from harm.

TL;DR:Ethics are the moral compass of psychological research. Students examine the British Psychological Society (BPS) guidelines, focusing on informed consent, protection from harm, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw. They also discuss the complex issue of deception and when it might be justified.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• GCSE Psychology (AQA) 3.2.1.5: Ethical considerations
• GCSE Psychology (Edexcel) 1.5.4: Ethical issues in psychological research

About This Topic

Ethics are the moral compass of psychological research. Students examine the British Psychological Society (BPS) guidelines, focusing on informed consent, protection from harm, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw. They also discuss the complex issue of deception and when it might be justified.

By analysing historical case studies, students learn why these rules were created and how they protect both participants and the reputation of the field. This topic is essential for GCSE as it encourages students to think about the human cost of scientific discovery. This topic comes alive when students can see their own ethical judgments in action through mock ethics committee debates.

Key Questions

1. What are the BPS ethical guidelines?
2. Why is informed consent crucial in research?
3. How do researchers handle deception?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Ethics are just about being 'nice' to people.

What to Teach Instead

Ethics are a formal set of professional standards designed to ensure the safety of participants and the integrity of the data. A collaborative task where students write a formal 'consent form' helps them see the legal and professional nature of ethics.

Common Misconception

Once you agree to a study, you have to finish it.

What to Teach Instead

The 'right to withdraw' means a participant can leave at any time, even after the study has finished, and take their data with them. Role-playing a participant who wants to leave helps students understand this fundamental right.

Active Learning Ideas

Mock Trial

The Ethics Committee

Students are given a proposal for a controversial study (like a modern version of Milgram). They act as an ethics committee, debating whether to approve, reject, or modify the study based on BPS guidelines.

50 min·Whole Class

Gallery Walk

Historical Ethical Failures

Display posters of famous studies like the Stanford Prison Experiment or Little Albert. Students walk around to identify which BPS guidelines were broken and suggest how the study could be made ethical today.

40 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share

The Deception Dilemma

Students are given a scenario where telling the truth would ruin the experiment. They discuss in pairs whether deception is acceptable in this case and how they would 'debrief' the participants afterward.

20 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four main BPS ethical principles?

The British Psychological Society (BPS) focuses on four main areas: Respect (privacy and consent), Competence (high standards), Responsibility (protection from harm), and Integrity (honesty and accuracy).

What is informed consent?

Informed consent means that participants are told enough about the study, including its purpose and any potential risks, to make an educated decision about whether they want to take part. This must be given freely without pressure.

How do researchers handle deception?

If deception is necessary for the study to work, researchers must ensure it doesn't cause distress. They must also 'debrief' the participants as soon as possible, explaining the true aim and ensuring they are in a positive state of mind before leaving.

How can active learning help students understand ethical issues?

Active learning, like mock ethics committees, forces students to apply abstract rules to real-world dilemmas. This helps them understand that ethics isn't just a list of rules to memorise, but a complex balancing act between scientific progress and human welfare.