Module 4Research Challenges: Exploring the Process

Chapter 1 - Pages 41-49 Essentials of Understanding Psychology- Sixth Edition

PSY110 Psychology

© Richard GoldmanRev. August 8, 2007

Ethics of Research Participants Rights (APA 2002 Guidelines)

Protect from physical and mental harm Protect privacy Completely voluntary Informed before experiment

Approved by independent panel Signed informed consent document

Voluntary May quit at any time

Some deception may be allowed Debriefing normally required

Explanation of study Procedure used

Diversity Bias in Research

Most psychological research has been conducted on college students Young Above average intelligence White Affluent Flexible attitudes

New funding requirement require that diversity issue be addressed in research.

Should Animals be Used in Research? Animal experiments may be used to study

behaviors and processes that are similar in other species.

Animal research requires similar approval and guidelines to protect animal subjects.

Has added much to the understanding and treatment of human disorders.

Still a controversial moral issue. (especially research on highly intellellegent animals (primates, dolphins, etc.) and pets (dogs & cats).

Threats to Experiment Validity:Experimenter and Participant Expectations Experimental Bias

Experimenter Expectation Participant Expectation

Placebo – false treatment, drug, etc. Double-blind procedure

Participant nor Experimenter know which pills are real or placebo