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Controversies in Psychology

Controversy: Ethical Costs of Conducting Research — applying psychological knowledge to it

  • 3 things to know
  • A2 Unit 3 Section B

Overview

Recall questions on socially sensitive research.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Key term

Weigh the costs and benefits of Watson and Rayner's (1920) conditioning study.

Key term

Distinguish presumptive consent from prior general consent.

Key term

What obligations fall under the principle of respect in the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Weigh the costs and benefits of Watson and Rayner's (1920) conditioning study.

    Model answer

    An infant who could not consent was made fearful and the response was never removed, but the study demonstrated that emotional reactions can be learned, which underpinned later treatments that unlearn them.

  2. 2

    Distinguish presumptive consent from prior general consent.

    Model answer

    Presumptive consent means asking a similar group whether they would find the procedure acceptable and taking their approval as a guide, whereas prior general consent means participants agree in advance that they may be deceived at some point without knowing when.

  3. 3

    What must an effective debriefing achieve, and what can it not achieve?

    Model answer

    It must reveal the true aims, correct any false beliefs created, restore the participant to their prior state and offer the chance to withdraw their data, but it cannot undo distress that has already been caused.

  4. 4

    Name the four ethical principles set out in the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct (2009).

    Model answer

    They are respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.

  5. 5

    What obligations fall under the principle of respect in the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct?

    Model answer

    Respect requires informed consent, a genuine right to withdraw, and the protection of privacy and confidentiality, together with attention to the differences in power between researcher and participant.

  6. 6

    What does the principle of responsibility in the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct require of a researcher?

    Model answer

    It requires protecting participants from harm, debriefing them, ending any lasting effects of the procedure, and accepting a duty to the wider profession and to the reputation of the science.

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Psychology Past to Present — The Five Approaches
Contemporary Debates
Principles of Research and Application of Research Methods
Mathematical Requirements for Psychology (Appendix A: AS Unit 2 and A2 Unit 4)

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