Ethics in Psychology Research - APA Code of Ethics

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores the ethical violations in psychological research through the lens of the CIA's MK-Ultra project, where unwitting U.S. citizens were dosed with LSD in the 1950s. Key ethical principles, including informed consent, protection from harm, deception, freedom from coercion, debriefing, and confidentiality, are examined. The discussion highlights how MK-Ultra egregiously breached these principles, causing significant psychological distress without participants' awareness or consent. This case serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of ethical standards in psychological research to safeguard participant rights.

Takeaways

• 😀 MK-Ultra was a CIA operation in the 1950s that involved administering LSD to unwitting U.S. citizens as part of mind control research.
• 📜 Ethical principles in psychology research include informed consent, protection from harm, deception, freedom from coercion, debriefing, and confidentiality/anonymity.
• 📝 Informed consent requires participants to be fully aware of the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and their right to withdraw at any time.
• 🚫 MK-Ultra participants were not informed they were part of a study or that they were receiving LSD, violating the principle of informed consent.
• ⚠️ The principle of protection from harm emphasizes minimizing physical and psychological distress for participants in research studies.
• 😨 Many MK-Ultra subjects experienced significant psychological harm, including anxiety, panic, and distress due to being unknowingly dosed with LSD.
• 🤥 Deception in research is sometimes permissible if the potential benefits outweigh the risks, but it must be justified.
• 💊 MK-Ultra participants were deceived into believing they were taking a treatment for schizophrenia instead of LSD.
• 🔒 Confidentiality and anonymity protect participants' rights to privacy, but MK-Ultra ultimately failed to maintain this secrecy as identities were later revealed.
• 🛡️ The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is responsible for reviewing research proposals to ensure ethical standards and participant protection are upheld.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the MK-Ultra program?

The MK-Ultra program aimed to investigate the potential use of LSD as a mind control weapon by administering it to U.S. citizens without their knowledge.

What are the key ethical principles in psychological research?

The key ethical principles include informed consent, protection from harm, deception, freedom from coercion, debriefing, and confidentiality/anonymity.

How does informed consent apply to the MK-Ultra program?

Informed consent was not obtained for MK-Ultra participants, as they were unaware they were part of a study and did not agree to take LSD.

What does the principle of protection from harm entail?

Protection from harm involves minimizing both physical and psychological harm to participants during a study.

What kind of harm did participants of MK-Ultra experience?

Participants experienced significant psychological distress, confusion, and fear after being administered LSD without their knowledge.

What role does deception play in psychological research?

Deception may be used in research if it does not cause harm and is justified by significant scientific value, but it must be carefully managed.

How was deception implemented in the MK-Ultra program?

Participants were deceived into believing they were receiving an experimental treatment for schizophrenia, while they were actually being given LSD.

What is meant by 'freedom from coercion' in research ethics?

Freedom from coercion means that participants should not feel pressured or forced to participate or continue in a study against their will.

How did MK-Ultra violate the principle of freedom from coercion?

Participants were threatened with increased LSD administration if they did not comply with CIA instructions, creating a coercive environment.

What is the significance of debriefing after a research study?

Debriefing provides participants with an explanation of the study, allows them to ask questions, and offers support after their involvement.

Was debriefing conducted for MK-Ultra participants?

No, there was no debriefing for MK-Ultra participants, leaving them without explanations or support after their experiences.

How does confidentiality and anonymity relate to MK-Ultra?

Initially, participant identities were kept confidential, but many were later publicly identified, violating their privacy rights.