Before Belmont: Ethics in Experimental Psychology
Contributed By
Smithsonian Learning Lab
Before Belmont: Ethics in Experimental Psychology
What ethical issues do psychologists face in their research and practice?
Before Belmont: Ethics in Experimental Psychology highlights key ethical principles in human research through the 20th century medical and psychological experiments that tested and redefined their boundaries. Through the intersection of basic and applied psychology and the wider field of medical research, the need for an ethical code of conduct became a critical yet controversial subject, eventually leading to action on the part of both professional organizations and the United States federal government.