#AP Psychology Study Guide: Ethical Considerations in Research

Hey there, future AP Psych master! 👋 Let's break down the tricky but super important topic of research ethics. This is a key area, so understanding it well will definitely boost your exam confidence. We'll cover everything from the basic guidelines to some famous (and infamous) experiments. Let's get started!

#Ethical Guidelines in Psychological Research

Before diving into any study, researchers must prioritize the well-being of their participants. The American Psychological Association (APA) has laid out specific ethical guidelines to protect both human and animal subjects. These guidelines are not just suggestions—they're crucial for ensuring that research is conducted responsibly and ethically.

#Core Ethical Principles

• Informed Consent: Participants must willingly agree to participate after being fully informed about the study's purpose, procedures, and potential risks. They need to know what they're getting into! 📝

• Deception: Sometimes, researchers might need to withhold some information or even mislead participants to avoid bias. However, deception is only allowed if:

  • It's absolutely necessary for the study.
  • It doesn't cause significant harm.
  • Participants are fully debriefed afterward.

• Debriefing: If deception is used, researchers must reveal the true nature of the study and its purpose as soon as possible after the experiment. This is where you clear the air and make sure everyone understands what happened. 🗣️

• Protection from Harm or Discomfort: Researchers must minimize any potential physical or psychological harm to participants. This includes emotional distress, embarrassment, or physical injury. 🛡️

• Anonymity and Confidentiality: Participants' data and identities must be kept private and confidential. No one should be able to link their responses back to them. 🤫

• Coercion: Participants must never be pressured or forced to participate in a study. They should feel free to withdraw at any time without penalty. 🙅

#Review Boards

To ensure these guidelines are followed, research proposals are reviewed by:

• Institutional Review Board (IRB): This committee reviews research involving human participants to make sure it's ethical. They're the gatekeepers of ethical research! 🧐

• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC): This committee reviews research involving animal subjects to ensure humane treatment and ethical practices. 🐾

#Unethical Experiments: A Cautionary Tale

Now, let's look at some historical examples of experiments that violated these ethical guidelines. These examples highlight why these rules are so important. Learning from past mistakes is crucial. 💡

#The Milgram Experiment ⚡

• What it was: Participants were told to administer electric shocks to a "learner" (who was actually an actor) for incorrect answers. The shocks weren't real, but participants believed they were. The goal was to see how far people would go when instructed by an authority figure.

  

  Image Courtesy of Two Cents

• Ethical issues:

  • Deception: Participants were deceived about the true nature of the experiment and the shocks.
  • Psychological harm: Participants experienced significant stress and emotional distress, believing they were harming another person.
  • Lack of debriefing: The initial debriefing was not sufficient, as participants were not fully informed that the learner was never actually punished.

#Harry Harlow's Monkey Experiment 🐒

• What it was: Baby monkeys were separated from their mothers and raised with two artificial "mothers": one made of wire with a feeding bottle, and another made of soft cloth. The goal was to study attachment and the importance of comfort.

  

  Image Courtesy of Verywell Mind.

• Ethical issues:

  • Animal cruelty: The monkeys were subjected to extreme stress and deprivation, causing long-term psychological harm.
  • Lack of necessity: The experiment caused significant harm with limited practical benefit.

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• Ethical guidelines are crucial for protecting participants in psychological research.
• IRBs and IACUCs ensure that research is conducted ethically.
• The Milgram and Harlow experiments highlight the importance of ethical considerations.
• Always consider the balance between potential benefits and potential harm in a study.

#Final Exam Focus

Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here’s what you need to focus on for the exam:

• High-Priority Topics:
  • The core ethical principles (informed consent, deception, debriefing, protection from harm, anonymity, coercion).
  • The roles of the IRB and IACUC.
  • Ethical issues in the Milgram and Harlow experiments.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple-choice questions testing your understanding of ethical guidelines and their application.
  • Short-answer questions asking you to identify ethical violations in a given scenario.
  • Free-response questions (FRQs) requiring you to evaluate the ethical implications of a research study.

#Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't spend too much time on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers. Be specific and use psychological terms correctly.
• Challenging Questions: For complex ethical scenarios, break down the situation step-by-step. Identify each ethical issue and explain why it's a problem.

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Practice Question

Practice Questions

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. A researcher is conducting a study on stress levels. Participants are told they will be giving a speech in front of a large audience, but the audience is actually a recording. This is an example of: a) Informed consent b) Debriefing c) Deception d) Protection from harm

2. Which of the following is a primary responsibility of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)? a) Ensuring that animal research is conducted humanely b) Reviewing research proposals involving human participants for ethical concerns c) Providing funding for psychological research d) Recruiting participants for research studies

3. In the Milgram experiment, participants were deceived about: a) The purpose of the study b) The use of electric shocks c) The role of the learner d) All of the above

#Free Response Question

A researcher wants to study the effects of social isolation on college students. They plan to recruit participants and randomly assign them to one of two groups: a group that will be isolated in a room for 24 hours with no human contact and a control group that will continue their normal daily routine. After the 24 hours, both groups will complete questionnaires on their mood and anxiety levels.

(a) Identify three ethical concerns that this study raises. (b) For each ethical concern you identified in part (a), explain how the researcher could modify the study to address the ethical issue.

Scoring Breakdown:

(a) Identify three ethical concerns (3 points)

• 1 point for each correctly identified ethical concern.
  • Examples: Lack of informed consent, potential psychological harm, coercion

(b) Explain how to modify the study (3 points)

• 1 point for each explanation of how to modify the study to address the ethical concern.
  • Examples:
    • Lack of informed consent: Provide participants with a full explanation of the study's procedures and potential risks before they agree to participate.
    • Potential psychological harm: Implement a system for participants to withdraw at any time, provide counseling resources, and ensure that the isolation period is not overly distressing.
    • Coercion: Ensure that participation is voluntary and that students do not feel pressured to participate.

That's it! You've now got a solid understanding of research ethics. Remember, this is a crucial area, so make sure you review these concepts. You've got this! 💪