Sakshi Education
By Srirangam Sriram, Sriram's IAS, New Delhi.
(a) Conformity bias
Conformity is a type of social influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group. This change is in response to tangible (involving the physical presence of others) or intangible (involving the pressure of social norms / expectations) group pressure.
Conformity Bias is the force behind our desire to fit in. We will almost always push for a homogenous consensus within a group to create harmony. This originates from hunter and gatherer days when working as a team was necessary for survival. Departing from the group meant less food, protection, and housing (maybe “caving” better suits the hunter and gatherer times). Going with the flow meant reproductive success, causing the Conformity Bias instinct to pass on through the generations.
It is a strength as well as a liability for a civil servant. Much of the time he may support the social norm. But he has to have the moral courage to break from the norms if they are divisive and excessively restrictive.
(b) Informed Consent
Informed consent is a process for getting permission before conducting a healthcare intervention on a person, or for disclosing personal information. A health care provider may ask a patient to consent to receive therapy before providing it, or a clinical researcher may ask a research participant before enrolling that person into a clinical trial. Informed consent is collected according to guidelines from the fields of medical ethics and research ethics.
Informed consent involves providing a potential subject with adequate information about the research to allow for an informed decision about the subject’s voluntary participation in a research study. Informed consent must include a process that facilitates the subject’s comprehension of the information and allows adequate opportunity for the subject to ask questions and consider whether or not to participate.
Providing understandable information to patients is necessary to achieve the two main aims of the Informed Consent process: respecting and promoting patients’ autonomy and protecting patients from harm.
In cases where an individual is provided insufficient information to form a reasoned decision, serious ethical issues arise. Compensation is paid to the subject and the culprit is also punished.
Obtaining informed consent is not always required. If an individual is considered unable to give informed consent: he may write a living well while he is still conscious as we have seen elsewhere on euthanasia or; another person is generally authorized to give consent on his behalf, e.g., parents or legal guardians of a child.
Informed consent is crucial for balancing between the progress in science, medicine, digital technologies and the right to life and personal liberty; right to privacy and dignity.
Conformity is a type of social influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group. This change is in response to tangible (involving the physical presence of others) or intangible (involving the pressure of social norms / expectations) group pressure.
Conformity Bias is the force behind our desire to fit in. We will almost always push for a homogenous consensus within a group to create harmony. This originates from hunter and gatherer days when working as a team was necessary for survival. Departing from the group meant less food, protection, and housing (maybe “caving” better suits the hunter and gatherer times). Going with the flow meant reproductive success, causing the Conformity Bias instinct to pass on through the generations.
It is a strength as well as a liability for a civil servant. Much of the time he may support the social norm. But he has to have the moral courage to break from the norms if they are divisive and excessively restrictive.
(b) Informed Consent
Informed consent is a process for getting permission before conducting a healthcare intervention on a person, or for disclosing personal information. A health care provider may ask a patient to consent to receive therapy before providing it, or a clinical researcher may ask a research participant before enrolling that person into a clinical trial. Informed consent is collected according to guidelines from the fields of medical ethics and research ethics.
Informed consent involves providing a potential subject with adequate information about the research to allow for an informed decision about the subject’s voluntary participation in a research study. Informed consent must include a process that facilitates the subject’s comprehension of the information and allows adequate opportunity for the subject to ask questions and consider whether or not to participate.
Providing understandable information to patients is necessary to achieve the two main aims of the Informed Consent process: respecting and promoting patients’ autonomy and protecting patients from harm.
In cases where an individual is provided insufficient information to form a reasoned decision, serious ethical issues arise. Compensation is paid to the subject and the culprit is also punished.
Obtaining informed consent is not always required. If an individual is considered unable to give informed consent: he may write a living well while he is still conscious as we have seen elsewhere on euthanasia or; another person is generally authorized to give consent on his behalf, e.g., parents or legal guardians of a child.
Informed consent is crucial for balancing between the progress in science, medicine, digital technologies and the right to life and personal liberty; right to privacy and dignity.Published date : 06 Jan 2021 12:55PM
