Ethics in developmental research

Question 1

What is Watson’s “Little Albert” study an example of?

Answer 1

A historical case study demonstrating classical conditioning in infants

Question 2

What did Harlow’s social deprivation experiments investigate?

Answer 2

The importance of caregiving and companionship in social and cognitive development in monkeys.

Question 3

What is Deb Roy’s TED talk “The Birth of a Word” (2011) about?

Answer 3

Roy wired his home with 11 cameras and 14 microphones to record his son’s language development during the first years of life.

Question 4

What ethical concerns are raised by Deb Roy’s home recording study?

Answer 4

Privacy, informed consent, data security, and long-term implications of extensive surveillance on child development.

Question 5

What are key ethical considerations when conducting developmental research with children?

Answer 5

Informed consent (from guardians), assent (from children), minimizing harm, protecting confidentiality, and ensuring voluntary participation.

Question 6

Why is it important to consider ethics uniquely in child research?

Answer 6

Children are a vulnerable population and may not fully understand their rights or the implications of participation.

Question 7

What is the aim of UNICEF’s Innocenti projects (2016–2021)?

Answer 7

To promote ethical research with children rather than just about them, focusing on child agency and voice.