This article provides an examination of the concept of informed consent in the field of psychology. It delves into the historical development of informed consent, highlighting key milestones and ethical guidelines, and discusses the essential components, including information disclosure, capacity assessment, and documentation. Moreover, the article explores the ethical and practical challenges researchers encounter in
Informed consent practices have evolved over time after instances were documented in which research participants were not treated fairly or respectfully, were not informed, or were subjected to unnecessary harm. Current federal regulations support the ethical treatment of persons in the research setting in that the participation is voluntary, that the risks outweigh the benefits
The capacity to consent to treatment, also known as treatment consent capacity (TCC) and medical decisionmaking capacity, is a civil legal capacity with important ethical, legal, and functional aspects. TCC is a fundamental aspect of personal autonomy and self-determination and refers to a person’s cognitive and emotional capacity to consent to medical treatment. TCC involves
Informed consent in counseling and psychotherapy refers to the process by which clients or prospective clients receive information about the proposed treatment and subsequently decide whether to provide consent for the counselor or therapist to proceed with the treatment. Historically, informed consent requirements were applied to surgery and other medical procedures; later these requirements were