week one discussions

Instructions: Respond to the following two discussion posts.

Due date 6/8/2024

Discussion 1.1 Posts:

Jazmine

Discuss the differences between doubting the existence of God and questioning.

-James 1:6-7 says, “but when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect anything from the Lord,” ( James 1:6-7, n.d.). Doubting the existence of God is when we pretend that God does not exist. It is when we refuse to believe that Jesus died for our sins and was risen. On the other hand, questioning God is when we ask clarification to understand His will for our lives. When we question, we spend time in prayer and reading the Bible, asking the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us wisdom.

b. Share a time when you were confused and God helped to direct your path.

-Upon getting my bachelor’s degree, I was really torn about whether I should do a career change and pursue a career in human resources or stay in retail banking where I have been for the past almost four years. I loved banking and became knowledgeable in the field. However, I feel as if I needed something related to my degree and challenge myself to go out of my comfort zone and learn something new. I was very confused and did not know what to do. I spent some time in prayer and looking for answers in the Bible. Until one day, God answered and led the way. Here I am now, almost three years in the human resources field.

 

References:

James 1:6-7 New International Version (NIV): Download the bible app now. YouVersion | The Bible App | Bible.com. (n.d.). https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.1.6-7

Crystal

Discuss the differences between doubting the existence of God and questioning.

To doubt the existence of God is to be uncertain of him. To be uncertain is to be unsure of God's existence. If someone is undecided about God's existence, they are in the middle of the spectrum. They are not to the left of the spectrum where they absolutely believe he does not exist, nor is one to the right of the spectrum where they absolutely believe he exists. The critical term for the spectrum is absoluteness. Absoluteness suggests that one totally and undeniably knows God is reality, or they undeniably and totally know God is fictional. 

Conversely, to question God's existence is to learn about God. When someone asks questions, they do so to seek information. The more information one has on a subject, the more informed decisions one can make about that subject. Here, questioning God's existence is not a matter of whether he actually exists. But to the matter of how and why does God exist? Our curiosity forces us to want to find the answers to these questions. The journey this quest puts us on becomes self-transcending when we learn that there is no universal answer to how and why God exists. As a result, every individual must accept that they are solely responsible for providing their answers.

 

b. Share a time when you were confused, and God helped to direct your path.

I recently co-signed on a vehicle with my son. We signed on a used 2018 Chevrolet Camaro. My son is 18 years of age and has just started college. His Dad gave him one of his vehicles to use at school. However, my son desires to have a vehicle of his own. He cannot buy a car because of his age and lack of credit history. So, I helped my son establish his credit and build financial responsibility. The vehicle is under my name, but the car note, and insurance are under my son's name. For this next year, I will pay for the car note, and my son will pay for the insurance. We agreed on specific terms and conditions for my son to keep the car. His father disapproves of my decision, stating that our son is "financially irresponsible." I agree with him on that statement to a degree. Because his dad and his dad's family members have enabled my son to be financially irresponsible by sending him money whenever he asks for it. Since we purchased the vehicle, I am still determining whether I made the right decision. I question if I let my emotions impede logic. The more his father is in my ear about the decision, the more I doubt it. It has only been three days since we bought the vehicle, so I still need to be provided clarity on the situation. So, I must continue to pray and have faith.

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Instructions: Respond to the following two discussion posts. Due date 6/9/2024

1.2 Discussion Posts

Julie

What did you learn about ethics in psychological research both historically and for current times?

Historical Context:  Following World War II, the Nazis conducted medical experiments on people interned in concentration camps, prompting the development of the Nuremberg Code (1947) (Sleek, 2022). The Nuremberg Code placed emphasis on ensuring that the benefits of the study outweigh the hazards, and that volunteers receive full information and participate willingly.   Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment (Sleek, 2022): In the mid-20th century, the Tuskegee study, deemed unethical, involved postponing treatment for African American males diagnosed with syphilis. The controversy resulted in a greater awareness of the situation and improvements.

Radiation tests (Sleek, 2022): The United States government significantly accelerated environmental regulation activities by funding radiation tests on people. According to the most recent ethical principles, researchers now adhere to criteria that place an emphasis on participant security, informed consent, and limiting damage.

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) (Sleek, 2022): These boards review research proposals to ensure adherence to ethical norms. On the other hand, people often accuse IRBs of being overly cautious because they apply the same criteria to low-risk research as they do to high-risk research.

The current challenges that researchers and institutional review boards (IRBs) face are characterized by an environment of confusion and misunderstanding ( APA PsycNet, n.d.). The main causes of this are laws that are difficult to understand and a lack of ethical training.   Overreaching Standards ( APA PsycNet, n.d.): There are others who believe that the recently implemented changes have gone too far, placing unwarranted constraints on research projects that pose a low risk.   Improving Communication and Training ( APA PsycNet, n.d.): In order to overcome these problems, it is vital for both researchers and institutional review boards (IRBs) to undergo improved communication and training.   While previous abuses were the impetus for significant changes, maintaining a balance between the safety of study participants and the advancement of research is still a persistent concern in psychology research.

Which ethical components do you believe would be the most challenging to comply with and in what ways could you adhere to them?

Obtaining informed consent would be the most difficult aspect of the ethical process. The significance of informed consent cannot be overstated in the field of research, particularly when dealing with vulnerable people. The following is a more in-depth discussion of the issue and the ways to adhere to it ( Ethical Considerations in Psychology Research, 2023):

Managing Vulnerable Populations: A Challenge to Consider Young people: When obtaining informed consent from children, it is necessary to take additional concerns into account. From a legal standpoint, kids are unable to provide their own permission. Impaired Cognitive Function: People who have cognitive impairments may have difficulty comprehending material that is difficult to grasp.   Strategies for Adherence:  Simplified Language: It is important for researchers to avoid using jargon and instead use clear language. Forms of consent may be prepared at a reading level that is suitable for the audience.

Visual Aids: Using visual aids such as diagrams, movies, or infographics can help to improve understanding.

Proxy Consent: A legally authorized person, such as a parent or guardian, may offer proxy consent for individuals who are below the age of majority or who are unable to provide their permission.

Assent: Even if a kid is unable to legally agree, it is still necessary to acquire their assent, which includes both their comprehension and their willingness.

Finally, thoroughly explore the concept of harm—in what ways could participants be harmed, even if “merely” filling out a questionnaire?

Participants may encounter questions that evoke unpleasant feelings, such as those about traumatic experiences or sensitive subjects. Researchers must provide participants with clear information about the study's substance and give them the option to skip questions if they feel uncomfortable (Qualtrics, 2023).

It is possible that participants will be concerned about the privacy of their data, particularly if the questionnaire contains questions that are personal or sensitive in nature. Researchers are obligated to guarantee confidentiality and provide an explanation of how the data will be handled (Qualtrics, 2023).

Certain queries, such as those pertaining to mental health or drug use, have the potential to result in instances of stigmatization or prejudice. The researchers should make an effort to reduce the amount of stigmatizing information and provide resources if needed.

Questions that are poorly written may cause participants to get confused or may result in replies that were not intended. It is important for researchers to conduct pilot tests of questionnaires and make sure they are clear (Qualtrics, 2023). Extensive surveys can be a burden because they are both time-consuming and exhausting. To ensure adherence, researchers should shorten surveys and respect participants' time.

References

APA PsycNet. (n.d.).  https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-04477-003

Ethical Considerations in Psychology Research. (2023, December 7). Simply Psychology.  https://www.simplypsychology.org/ethics.html

Qualtrics. (2023, August 15).  Ethical issues to consider when conducting survey research. Qualtrics.  https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/ethical-issues-for-online-surveys/

Sleek, S. (2022, August 31).  How the Classics Changed Research Ethics. Association for Psychological Science - APS.  https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/classics-research-ethics

Crystal

a. What did you learn about ethics in psychological research both historically and for current times?

 

Historically, psychological research ethics involving human subjects focused on specific groups. Owing to these certain groups, their situations were an “administrative convenience” for researchers. Researchers often sought after racial minorities, the poor, the ill, and the confined as research subjects because of the ease of access they provided (Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1979). For example, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, poor ward patients served as research subjects. As well as prisoners were often exploited as research subjects in Nazi concentration camps (Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1979). Lastly, between the 1940s and 1972, the federally funded Tuskegee study followed the lives of approximately 600 poor black males, most of whom had syphilis, to trace the course of untreated syphilis (Fitzgerald, 2016).

Provided this historical context, it is clear that considerations of justice play a crucial role in research involving human subjects. Researchers must thoroughly investigate the selection of research subjects (Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1979). In research involving human subjects, ethical considerations are paramount. Psychologists rely on the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct to navigate their professional and scientific endeavors. A psychologist’s decision-making process concerning their professional conduct and work must consider the APA Ethics Code, relevant laws, and psychology board regulations. The Ethics Code outlines general principles “to guide and inspire psychologists toward the highest ethical ideals of the profession.” (American Psychological Association, 2003–2017, para. 11). Important to realize, in section 8: research and publication of the Ethics Code, psychologists must seek approval before conducting research, and get informed consent. 

 

b. Which ethical components do you believe would be the most challenging to comply with and in what ways could you adhere to them?

Navigating ethical components can indeed be challenging, especially in psychology. Here are a few aspects that might pose difficulties and potential ways to adhere to them:

1. Informed Consent. Providing subjects with sufficient information on the research they will take part in allows them the opportunity to make an informed decision to volunteer as a subject or not. To adhere, use reasonably comprehensible language to the individual or individuals (American Psychological Association, 2003–2017, para. 3.10(a)). 

The APA Ethics Code states sufficient information provided to the participants comprises: 

(1) the purpose of the research, expected duration, and procedures; (2) their right to decline to participate and to  withdraw from the research once participation has begun; (3) the foreseeable consequences of declining or withdrawing; (4) reasonably foreseeable factors that may be expected to influence their willingness to participate such as potential risks, discomfort, or adverse effects; (5) any prospective research benefits; (6) limits of confidentiality; (7) incentives for participation; and (8) whom to contact for questions about the research and research participants’ rights. They provide opportunity for the prospective    participants to ask questions and receive answers (American Psychological Association, 2003–2017, para. 8.02(a)).

2. Conflict of Interest. Psychologists avoid assuming professional roles when personal, scientific, legal, financial, or other interests could reasonably compromise their objectivity, competence, or effectiveness or potentially harm the individuals or organizations involved (American Psychological Association, 2003–2017). 

 

c. Finally, thoroughly explore the concept of harm—in what ways could participants be harmed, even if “merely” filling out a questionnaire?

The three basic ethical principles involving human subjects are respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. We must protect all individuals from harm following beneficence. Two fundamental principles guide beneficent actions: (1) avoid causing harm and (2) maximize benefits while minimizing potential harms. To avoid harm, one must understand what is harmful. Getting this information could expose a research subject to risks of harm. 

Similarly, finding out what would benefit the research subject could expose them to risks of harm (Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1979). Even filling out a questionnaire could harm participants if disclosing their responses would jeopardize their criminal or civil liability, financial standing, employability, or reputation and compromise their confidentiality. (American Psychological Association, 2003–2017, para. 8.05). 

 

References

American Psychological Association. (2003–2017).  Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/

Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. (1979).  The Belmont Report. https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/belmont-report/read-the-belmont-report/index.html

Fitzgerald, J. (2016). Tuskegee, Trust in Doctors, and the Health of Black Men.  The Digest, 2. https://www.nber.org/digest/aug16/tuskegee-trust-doctors-and-health-black-men