Depending on the study, it is sometimes necessary for psychologists to be deceptive.
Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows. Bernice is conducting a study on how homelessness affects mental disorders. Her study was conducted with no errors and the research would be clearly helpful to many people. During the study, Bernice appeared repulsed by her subjects and wore gloves and a face mask when interacting directly with them. Which of the following principles of psychology or codes of conduct did Bernice violate?
A psychologist, whose primary focus is sleep behaviors, gives an acquaintance advice regarding psychiatric medication. The psychologist is considered an expert in his field. Why is this behavior unethical?
One example of how psychological research can be used to control harmful behavior would be __________.
Some believe that deception is a necessary tool for psychological research because deception __________.
Under the universal standards of conduct, psychological researchers must do all of the following except __________.
A code of ethics for psychologists helps to do all of the following except __________.
Why do some feel that it is not okay to use psychological research as a way to control behavior?
Some people believe psychological research should not be used to control behavior because it can manipulate individuals, undermine autonomy and free choice, and be misused by people or institutions in power. Ethical research should respect informed consent, dignity, and the right to make one’s own decisions.
Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows. Nancy is conducting a study using college students as subjects. The purpose of the study is to see if the kind of clothing the experimenter wears will have an affect on the willingness of the subject to perform an embarrassing task. During the experiment, Nancy or one of her research assistants will approach a subject chosen at random from passersby. The experimenter will be wearing either a lab coat, a business suit, or casual clothes. The experimenter will ask the subject to do an embarrassing task. If the subject agrees, that subject will perform the task and then be asked why he or she agreed. If the subject refuses, he or she will be asked why they refused. After the single question, the subject will be dismissed and the experiment will continue. Why is this experiment unethical? How could it be improved?
The experiment is unethical because participants are approached without adequate informed consent and may be pressured or exposed to embarrassment or distress. The study should use an ethics review, obtain informed consent, allow participants to refuse or withdraw freely, minimize the embarrassing activity, protect privacy, and provide a full debriefing afterward.
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