Question 1: Define the term 'ethical guidelines' in the context of psychological research.

Answer: Ethical guidelines are principles designed to ensure the safety, rights, and well-being of participants in psychological research. They include obtaining informed consent, protecting confidentiality, avoiding harm, and debriefing participants.

Question 2: Describe a scenario where psychological research might breach ethical guidelines involving vulnerable groups, such as children or individuals with mental health issues.

Answer: A researcher conducting a study on anxiety levels uses participants under the age of 16 without parental consent, and does not debrief or offer support afterward. This breaches ethical guidelines related to informed consent and protection of vulnerable groups.

Question 3: Explain why informed consent is crucial in psychological experiments.

Answer: Informed consent is crucial because it ensures participants are aware of the purpose, procedures, risks, and their rights in the study, allowing them to decide whether to participate voluntarily, thus respecting their autonomy and protecting their welfare.

Question 4: Identify two potential ethical issues that could arise from using deception in psychological research.

Answer: Potential issues include causing participants to feel betrayed or distrustful after discovering the deception, and the possibility of psychological distress if the deception leads to confusion or anxiety.

Question 5: Discuss one advantage and one disadvantage of using deception in psychological studies.

Answer: An advantage is that deception can lead to more natural behavior by preventing participants from guessing the aim of the study. A disadvantage is that it can harm trust and cause psychological harm if participants feel misled or betrayed afterward.

Question 6: Why is confidentiality important in psychological research? Provide an example of a breach of confidentiality.

Answer: Confidentiality ensures that participants' personal data and responses are protected from unauthorized access, maintaining their privacy. An example of breach is sharing participants' personal information or responses without their permission.

Question 7: Describe the ethical considerations involved in conducting research that involves psychological harm or stress.

Answer: Researchers must ensure that any potential harm or stress is minimized, justified by the study's benefits, and that participants are fully debriefed and provided with support if needed. They must also obtain informed consent and allow participants to withdraw at any time.

Question 8: Sketch a flowchart illustrating the process a psychologist should follow to ensure ethical approval before starting a study. (Describe your sketch.)

Answer: A correct sketch would include boxes labeled: 'Design Study', 'Assess Ethical Risks', 'Submit Ethical Application', 'Review by Ethics Committee', 'Receive Approval', 'Conduct Research', 'Debrief Participants'. Arrows should connect these steps sequentially.

Question 9: Explain the importance of debriefing participants after their involvement in a psychological study.

Answer: Debriefing is important because it clarifies the purpose of the study, alleviates any distress caused, restores trust, and provides participants with the opportunity to ask questions or withdraw their data if they wish.

Question 10: Identify and explain one ethical dilemma that psychologists might face when balancing scientific progress and participant welfare.

Answer: An ethical dilemma could involve using deception to obtain more valid data, which might harm participants’ trust afterward. Psychologists must weigh the potential benefits of scientific progress against the obligation to protect participants from harm.