Explain The Ethical Issues Involved Using Deception In Human Behaviour
Discuss the ethical issues involved using deception in researching human behaviour
When conducting any kind of research, one must be aware of the ethical issues involved. Almost all research in psychology studies human behaviour. Before the experiment is conducted, all subjects are given a brief overview of the experiment but will not be told about the entire experiment and its true purpose. This deception leaves the subjects vulnerable which may arise to ethical issues. Back in 1954, W. Edgar Vinacke, had issues regarding participants being deceived in experiments; participants were exposed to “painful, embarrassing, or worse, experiences” (Vinacke, 1954). Back when obedience research was first conducted, deception was not a common practice …show more content…
Among other ways to avoid ethical issues is that psychologist and participants develop a reciprocal relationship in which the latter may accept certain situations during the study were they may be deceived. With that being said, it may be impossible to completely remove deception from all psychological research as it remains an important tool because of the validity it brings to science. As most research today performed have strict governmental regulations, daunting ethical guidelines and institutional reviews (Kimmel, 2011), studies that are carried out with the level of deception employed are comparable to that of a white lie to children.
Under the level of deception used these days, and the strict guidelines followed, I believe that eliminating deception from psychological research would be foolish because of the possible gains for psychological research. As long as there is careful evaluation of the study and deception is used under appropriate circumstances, there is no reason which it cannot be used for the greater good of
When conducting any kind of research, one must be aware of the ethical issues involved. Almost all research in psychology studies human behaviour. Before the experiment is conducted, all subjects are given a brief overview of the experiment but will not be told about the entire experiment and its true purpose. This deception leaves the subjects vulnerable which may arise to ethical issues. Back in 1954, W. Edgar Vinacke, had issues regarding participants being deceived in experiments; participants were exposed to “painful, embarrassing, or worse, experiences” (Vinacke, 1954). Back when obedience research was first conducted, deception was not a common practice …show more content…
Among other ways to avoid ethical issues is that psychologist and participants develop a reciprocal relationship in which the latter may accept certain situations during the study were they may be deceived. With that being said, it may be impossible to completely remove deception from all psychological research as it remains an important tool because of the validity it brings to science. As most research today performed have strict governmental regulations, daunting ethical guidelines and institutional reviews (Kimmel, 2011), studies that are carried out with the level of deception employed are comparable to that of a white lie to children.
Under the level of deception used these days, and the strict guidelines followed, I believe that eliminating deception from psychological research would be foolish because of the possible gains for psychological research. As long as there is careful evaluation of the study and deception is used under appropriate circumstances, there is no reason which it cannot be used for the greater good of