Ethics in Psychology Research - APA Code of Ethics

This paragraph introduces the CIA's MK-Ultra operation, a covert 1950s program where LSD was administered to unsuspecting U.S. citizens to explore its potential as a mind-control weapon. The video script uses this as a backdrop to delve into the ethics of psychological research, emphasizing the importance of informed consent. Informed consent requires participants to be aware and voluntarily agree to what the study entails, including its purpose, logistics, and potential risks. The MK-Ultra operation starkly violated this principle, as subjects were neither informed nor consented to being part of the study, highlighting a significant ethical breach.

The second paragraph focuses on the ethical principle of protection from harm in research studies. It underscores the researcher's duty to minimize harm to participants, acknowledging that some level of discomfort or stress may be inevitable. The paragraph discusses the types of harm, including physical and psychological, and the subjective nature of determining acceptable harm levels through a cost-benefit analysis. The MK-Ultra case is revisited to illustrate a clear violation of this principle, as participants experienced significant distress, anxiety, and hallucinations without their knowledge or consent, indicating a failure to protect them from harm.

This paragraph explores the concept of deception in psychological research, explaining its definition and the conditions under which it may be ethically permissible. Deception is generally discouraged but can be justified if it is essential for the study's validity and if no harm is done post-study. The paragraph contrasts this with the MK-Ultra operation, where participants were misled about the nature of the 'experimental drugs' they were given, and in some cases, the setting itself was part of the deception, as seen in the use of brothels to administer LSD unknowingly to subjects. This highlights a profound misuse of deception in the MK-Ultra studies.

The fourth paragraph examines the ethical principle of freedom from coercion, which prohibits forcing or pressuring participants into a study against their will. It discusses how coercion can occur through threats or the misuse of power, and the responsibility of researchers to avoid such practices. The MK-Ultra operation is cited as an example of coercion, with participants being threatened with worsened experiences if they did not comply with the CIA's demands. This included instances where mentally ill or drug-addicted individuals were pressured due to their vulnerable states, clearly violating ethical standards.

This paragraph discusses the importance of debriefing participants after a study, which involves explaining the study's purpose, revealing any deception used, and addressing any questions or concerns participants may have. The goal is to return participants to their pre-study state and provide support if needed. The paragraph contrasts this with the MK-Ultra operation, where there was no debriefing or follow-up with subjects, leaving them uninformed about their involvement and the effects of the LSD they were given, representing a significant ethical oversight.

The final paragraph addresses the ethical principles of confidentiality and anonymity, which are designed to protect participants' privacy and identity. It explains the difference between the two concepts and the importance of keeping participant data secure. The paragraph then connects these principles to the MK-Ultra operation, noting that while initial efforts were made to keep participant identities secret, the information eventually became public, leading to a breach of confidentiality and anonymity. This highlights the importance of maintaining these ethical standards to protect participants' rights.

The last paragraph of the script touches on the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in safeguarding participant rights and ensuring ethical research practices. It explains that researchers must submit their study proposals to these boards for review, which assess the risks to participants and determine if the study's benefits outweigh any potential harm. The paragraph serves as a reminder of the various mechanisms in place to protect participants in research, reinforcing the importance of ethical considerations in psychological studies.