Ethical Issues in Psychological Studies

Question 1

Deception

Answer 1

-participants have the right not to experience deception
-avoiding deception is not always possible
-deception is acceptable when:
there is no alternative
the level of deception and its consequences are minor
the scientific benefit of the research outweighs the cost of deception

Question 2

Ways to deal with deception

Answer 2

• Debriefing to overcome deception

- Prior general consent

Question 3

Informed consent

Answer 3

• participants have the right to give their informed consent before taking part in research
• full informed consent is only given if a participant agrees to take part having being told the aims, procedure, anticipated findings and their rights

Question 4

Ways to deal with informed consent

Answer 4

• presumptive consent to overcome a lack of informed consent

- prior general consent

Question 5

Harm

Answer 5

• Participants have the right not to experience harm in research
• physical harm includes any physical pain or discomfort
• psychological harm includes any level of emotional distress, embarrassment or the loss of self-esteem

Question 6

Ways to deal with harm

Answer 6

-debriefing to overcome harm

Question 7

Privacy and confidentiality

Answer 7

• participants have the right to experience privacy and confidentiality
• their personal details must not be shared with others
• any information that is recorded about a participant must be made anonymous

Question 8

Ways to deal with privacy and confidentiality

Answer 8

-informed consent to ensure the right to privacy

Question 9

Right to withdraw

Answer 9

-participants have the right to withdraw themselves from the experiment

Question 10

Ways to deal with the right to withdraw

Answer 10

• debriefing

- reminders