Protecting Rights of Subjects in Psychological Research in the U.S.A.

Abstract

Our Chairman requested me to survey for you certain developments on this topic in the United States. This was not meant to ignore other countries but rather to provide information which could be compared with that from other countries and to suggest some subjects for reflection and discussion. Because the United States has the largest body of researchers in psychology, changes often arrive there first. Thus, as you read this account, you may wish to consider whether certain current American regulations and laws are desirable, whether similar rules may be developing in your own countries, and whether other directions should be sought to protect subjects and to promote ethical standards in research.