Psychology Ethical Considerations

Question 1

Deception

Answer 1

• Where participants are unaware of the true aim of the study they partake in
• Used in order to reduce demand characteristics
• A ‘research ethics application form’ may be sent to an ethics committee can be used to ensure that the level of deception used is necessary and ethical enough for the study

Question 2

Informed Consent

Answer 2

• It is common practice in psychology for participants to give their consent in partaking of an experiment
• Continuity of the consent is important
• In studies such as covert operations, or in rare cases like H.M, consent is a difficult topic

Question 3

Right to withdrawal

Answer 3

• Participants must be aware that they have a right to withdraw from an experiment if they choose to do so

Question 4

Anonymity

Answer 4

• The anonymity of participants should be well cared, ensuring that when results are published that participants remain confidential

Question 5

Protection from harm

Answer 5

• Studies must reduce participant harm by all means necessary, this involves offering support to participants after an experiment, designing and experiment to reduce harm or stress on participants, and consulting with an ethics committee

Question 6

Informed consent in data use

Answer 6

• Participants must be aware of how their data will be shared or published