Loftus and Palmer- Evaluate Ethical Issues- A03

Question 1

What are the ethical issues that can be used to evaluate loftus and Palmer’s research?

Answer 1

Deception
Lack of informed consent
Lack of right to withdraw
Protection from harm

Question 2

Paragraph 1- Deception (WEAKNESS)

Answer 2

P- Ethical issue , deception

E.G- Withheld the true aim from ppts (understand effect of leading questions on ppts memory and speed estimations)
- deceived using filler questions whioch prevented ppts realising that critical q was one L&P interested in

E- ppts deceived about true aim

HOWEVER- sometimes necessary to ensure no DC and Valid data

Question 3

Paragraph 2- Informed consent (WEAKNESS)

Answer 3

P- lack of informed consent

E.G- Only consented to taking part in the study
- not informed consent as not aware of true aim (researching effect of leading Q’s on memory)

E - In research consent sought by briefing ppts on true aims- L&P didn’t
- consent is not informed

HOWEVER- by turneing up to lab, ppts consented

Question 4

Paragraph 3- Psychological harm (STRENGTH)

Answer 4

P- Avoided psychological harm using video clips

E.g- students watched vids of car crashes, alternate to witnessing in real life

E- Real car crash more emotionally distressing to witness, cause psychological harm couldn’t be addressed by a debrief

HOWEVER- Vids still could have caused harm
- ppts in crash themselves (traumatic memories/distressing to watch)

Question 5

Paragraph 4- Lack of right to withdraw (WEAKNESS)

Answer 5

P- Lack of right to withdraw

Explanation- should be reminded of the right to withdraw at any point in psychological research

E.g- PPts felt obligated to take part, Loftus professor at their uni
- affected right to withdraw-felt they couldn’t