The Role Ethics Has Played In Psychology - Essay Example

codes need that animals and humans are treated with respect and care. With regards to humans, the code also requires privacy (Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2008). While ethics are a very valuable tool for people in the field of psychology, they are also a source of conflict. This conflict could come up in various scenarios and especially in those situations that need legal action (Hammersley, 1995). Because it is of, utmost importance to maintain the privacy of every patient, it could become a problem when psychologists are needed to take the witness stand against one of their patients.

If this patient would be a danger to others or to her or himself, it becomes necessary for the counselor to talk to authorities and notify them. However, the code of ethics frowns upon an action such as this sharing of information concerning a patient. Therefore, while this code aids in setting the standard for people in the field of psychology, they can also be a source of conflict (Hammersley, 1995). A time may come that the person who abides by the ethics code will be made to make a call of judgment to go against the ethics code, should the circumstances make it warranted.

It is fundamental for a psychologist to protect those who participate in their research as they conduct it and to take into consideration their wellbeing. Prior to Milligram’s famous research conducted into obedience, ethics were not a serious issue (Brown, 1997). Because of the negative reviews that followed this study with regards to ethnic guidelines, the guidelines were introduced so as to prevent any further criticism. The British Psychological Society introduced the code in conduct, and researchers were required to follow them during research.

These guidelines were inclusive of withdrawal from research, confidentiality, deception, protection of others, debrief, and informed consent (Brown, 1997). Informed consent has to do with telling those participating in the research what the study entails and asking their permission to go on with the research study (Langdridge & Hagger-Johnson, 2004). Difficulties, however, arise when it is not possible to get informed consent from the participants sans changing what they would have done. The participants will have to be given various contacts in case any issues arise in the procedure and the study that they are involved in.

For instance, concerning quantitative research, it becomes difficult to get consent from persons being observed since most quantitative research studies study wide areas to watch everyday life behavior (Langdridge & Hagger-Johnson, 2004). Debriefing is also a vital procedure that a researcher has to obey and follow. This is a procedure that sees the researcher required to give an overview to the participants with regards to what the study’s aim was and what the purpose of doing so was (Bersoff, 2008).

The participants also possess the right to ask questions, which must be answered honestly and truthfully by the researcher. Participant protection must also be followed as a guideline in relation to research ethics. Researchers within this area are required to ensure that the study participants will