Mary wanted to research how stress impacted a student's ability to consolidate new memories. She had planned to split participants into two groups. Both groups of students were to study a one-page speech. The control group would be allowed to study unimpeded, but for the experimental group, while they were attempting to memorize the words, she would repeatedly shock them on the hand. She hoped that she would then be able to compare how well students from the two groups memorized the speech. After further reflection, Mary decided that the data that she would collect would not have enough value scientifically to be worth subjecting these participants to high levels of shock. What ethical principle guided Mary's decision NOT to conduct her experiment?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mary's decision was guided by the ethical principle of weighing the risks versus benefits. She realized that the potential harm from the shocks outweighed the scientific value of the data she would collect.

Mary Wanted to Research How Stress Impacted a Student's Ability