[Week 1] Ethics of Psychological Research

Question 1

informed consent

Answer 1

In general, people should know when they are involved in research, and understand what will happen to them during the study.

Question 2

confidentiality

Answer 2

Information that researchers learn about individual participants should not be made public without the consent of the individual.

Question 3

privacy

Answer 3

Researchers should not make observations of people in private places such as their bedrooms without their knowledge and consent.

Question 4

benefits

Answer 4

• Researchers should consider the benefits of their proposed research, and weigh these against potential risks to the participants.
• People who participate in psychological studies should be exposed to risk only if they fully understand these risks and only if the likely benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

Question 5

deception

Answer 5

• Some researchers need to deceive participants to hide the true nature of the study. This is typically done to prevent participants from modifying their behavior in unnatural ways.
• Debriefing is an opportunity to educate participants about the true nature of the study.