The main ethical problems of psychological research in correctional institutions (review of scientific articles of foreign authors)

4196

Abstract

The contribution presents the main approach to the questions of professional ethics in the course psychological examinations of suspected, accused and convicted persons, which are stated in modern works of foreign authors. It analyzes the level of knowledge of this question, the main flaws and advantages of works on this problem. The review is based on T.Ward’s article “Ethical issues in forensic and correctional practice” which is notable for deep analysis of theoretical prerequisites and clearly stated practical orientation. There are following relevant ethical issues: rules of conduct of the researcher and his main personal qualities which influence the effectiveness of the research process; rules of collection, analysis and presentation of the research data; the penalty’s influence on the moral status of convicts; the volume of information which is given to the respondent before and in the process of examination. The main ethical principles presented for analysis are the principles of equality and generalization. The basic ethical model - “the concept of human dignity”

General Information

Keywords: correctional psychology, generalization principle, equality principle, forensic psychology, ethics, ethical principles, ethical model

Journal rubric: Juridical Psychology

Article type: editorial note

For citation: Debolsky M.G., Zelenina M.M. The main ethical problems of psychological research in correctional institutions (review of scientific articles of foreign authors) [Elektronnyi resurs]. Psikhologicheskaya nauka i obrazovanie psyedu.ru [Psychological Science and Education psyedu.ru], 2012. Vol. 4, no. 2 (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

References

  1. Minimal'nye standartnye pravila obrasheniya s zaklyuchennymi //Dokumenty OON, kasayushiesya zaklyuchennyh. M., 2000.
  2. Appelbaum K.L. Correctional mental health research: Opportunities and Barriers / /Journal of Correctional Health Care. 2008. №14.
  3. Becker L.C. Reciprocity. Chicago, IL, 1986.
  4. Driver J. Ethics: The Fundamentals. Oxford, UK, 2006.
  5. Symonette H. Cultivating self as responsive instrument: Working the boundaries and borderlands for ethical border crossings // The Handbook of Social Research Ethics. L., 2009.
  6. Ward T. Ethical issues in forensic and correctional research// Aggression and Violent Behavior. 2010. №15.
  7. Ward T., Birgden A. Human rights and correctional clinical practice//Aggression and Violent Behavior. 2007. №12.
  8. Ward T., Gannon T., Vess J. Human rights and ethical principles and standards in forensic psychology// International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. 2009. №53.
  9. Ward T., Salmon K. The ethics of punishment: Correctional practice Implications// Aggression and Violent Behavior. 2009. №14.
  10. Ward T., Syversen K. Vulnerable agency and human dignity: An ethical framework for forensic practice// Aggression and Violent Behavior. 2009. №14.

Information About the Authors

Michael G. Debolsky, PhD in Psychology, professor, Professor, Department of legal psychology and law, faculty of legal psychology, MSUPE, leading researcher, PKU research Institute of the Federal penitentiary service, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2601-0077, e-mail: mdebolsky@mail.ru

Marina M. Zelenina, Ph.D student at the Penitentiary psychology chair of the Juridical psychology faculty of the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: mmzelenina@mail.ru

Metrics

Views

Total: 5976
Previous month: 12
Current month: 24

Downloads

Total: 4196
Previous month: 28
Current month: 20