Protection from Harm or Discomfort

Definition

This is an ethical principle in psychology that ensures participants are not subjected to physical or psychological harm during a study.

Analogy

Think of this like a safety harness when you're rock climbing. The harness doesn't stop the challenge or thrill of the climb, but it does protect you from getting hurt if something goes wrong.

Related terms

Risk-Benefit Analysis: This involves weighing the risks against benefits of conducting a study. If potential harm outweighs benefits, then the study should not be conducted.

Physical Harm: This refers to any physical injury or discomfort caused to participants during a research study which must be avoided.

Psychological Harm: This refers to any emotional distress caused by participation in a research study. Researchers have an obligation to minimize such harm.