Question 1

Bea is a researcher working in the area of human sexuality. She conducts a survey to determine how often the average person has sex. In doing this survey, Bea does not have her participants put their name on the survey. Rather, she assigns each participant a number. In doing this, Bea is upholding the ethical rule which states that participants have a right to ____.

Accepted Answer

By assigning each participant a number instead of having them put their name on the survey, Bea is maintaining the participants' confidentiality. This is an important ethical rule, as it helps to protect the privacy of participants and prevent potential harm that could come from the release of sensitive information. Informed consent, deception, and debriefing are also important ethical considerations in research, but they are not directly related to Bea's decision to assign numbers instead of names in this particular survey.

Question 2

A fundamental principle of ethical practice is _________.

Accepted Answer

Informed consent is a fundamental principle of ethical practice in research, which ensures that participants are fully aware of the purpose and nature of the research and give their voluntary consent to participate. Sliding-scale compensation may be a consideration but is not a fundamental principle. Debriefing participants at risk is important, but debriefing is still necessary even when participants are not at risk. Research design by an institutional board is important, but it is not the fundamental principle of ethical practice.

Question 3

Debriefing is ____.

Accepted Answer

Debriefing is the process of fully disclosing the true purposes and nature of a psychological study after it has been completed. It allows participants to understand the research they participated in and address any concerns they may have about their involvement in the study.

Question 4

Potentially problematic variables that can lead to alternative explanations for the results of a study are called ____ variables.

Accepted Answer

Confounding variables can affect the relationship between the independent and dependent variables and can provide alternative explanations for the results of a study. Independent variables are manipulated by the researcher, dependent variables are measured, and experimental variables are controlled by the researcher.

Question 5

Lamont, a university researcher, wants to do a study to determine if use of alcohol predicts motor skill performance in college students. Before conducting this study, Lamont should have his study approved by the ____.

Accepted Answer

The institutional review board (IRB) at Lamont's school is responsible for ensuring that research involving human subjects is conducted ethically and in accordance with federal regulations. The use of alcohol raises potential ethical concerns, and therefore, Lamont should seek approval from the IRB before conducting his study. The other options listed are not relevant or appropriate for this purpose.

Question 6

Which statement is true about animal research and our understanding of psychological issues?

Accepted Answer

Animal research has been an important tool for advancing our understanding of psychological issues, such as addiction, anxiety, and depression. However, ethical guidelines have been put in place to ensure that animal participants are treated humanely and their suffering minimized. As a result, animal research has contributed to our knowledge while also protecting the welfare of animals involved.

Question 7

Prior to participation in a psychological study at your college, you are given information that clarifies the obligations and responsibilities of both you and the researcher in the study. This fulfills the ethical requirement that all psychological studies include ____.

Accepted Answer

Informed consent is the ethical requirement that dictates that participants in a psychological study must be given information about the study and their rights as participants before they can decide whether or not to participate. This information includes the purpose of the study, the procedures involved, and any risks or benefits of participation. Informed consent ensures that participants are fully aware of what they are agreeing to when they participate in research.

Question 8

What is the responsibility of a researcher who conducts psychological studies on animals?

Accepted Answer

The responsible researcher conducting psychological studies on animals must be able to justify the painful procedures used on the animals. They must ensure that the benefits of the research outweigh the potential harm to the animals. Additionally, it is important for researchers to adhere to ethical guidelines and regulations regarding the use of animals in research. While regular inspections and rehoming the animals after the research is complete are important, they are not the primary responsibility of the researcher conducting the study.

Question 9

Which of the following is true about the use of deception in psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Deception is allowed in psychological research as long as the researcher can justify its use and the participants are debriefed appropriately afterwards. Debriefing involves informing the participants about the true nature of the study and explaining why deception was necessary. This allows participants to provide informed consent and helps mitigate any potential harm caused by the deception.

Question 10

Who is known as the father of African American psychology?

Accepted Answer

Francis Sumner is known as the father of African American psychology. He was the first African American to earn a PhD in psychology and is recognized for his contributions to the field of African American psychology, particularly in the areas of race, intelligence, and educational inequalities.

Question 11

Dr. Honani is studying conceptual learning among monkeys. What ethical obligations does he have toward these primates?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Honani has ethical obligations to ensure the physical and psychological well-being of the primates involved in his research. This includes providing appropriate housing, nutrition, and veterinary care, as well as monitoring the primates' psychological welfare to minimize stress and provide enrichment opportunities. The use of animals in research is guided by ethical principles established by both the APA and federal regulations, which require review and approval by an animal care and use committee before any research can begin. However, the idea of informed consent does not typically apply to animal research as they cannot give their consent in the way that humans can.

Question 12

In the past, how might the involvement of women and minorities in psychological research be best characterized?

Accepted Answer

In the past, women and minorities were often neglected as participants in psychological research. Many studies focused exclusively on white, male participants, leading to a lack of understanding about how psychological processes might differ among people of different genders, races, and ethnicities. It was only through efforts to increase diversity in research that this issue began to be addressed.

Question 13

Suppose that immediately after participating in a psychological study, you are dismissed without any interaction with the experimenter or a representative. What element of ethical psychology research has probably been excluded?

Accepted Answer

Debriefing is the element of ethical research that occurs after participation in a study, and involves providing participants with information about the purpose, methods, and results of the study. If a participant is dismissed without any interaction or debriefing, this ethical element has been excluded.

Question 14

Whose research focused on environmental and cultural factors that influence personality development?

Accepted Answer

Karen Horney was a psychoanalyst whose research focused on how environmental and cultural factors, particularly childhood experiences, shape personality development. She developed the concept of "basic anxiety" to explain how feelings of insecurity and inadequacy can form in childhood and influence personality throughout life.

Question 15

Which of the following tasks would a psychologist be most likely to perform?

Accepted Answer

Assessing intelligence is a task often performed by psychologists, whereas the other tasks listed are more related to fields such as economics, environmental science, and geography.

Question 16

LaDonna is a researcher who studies the behavior of rats. LaDonna ____.

Accepted Answer

As a researcher, LaDonna still has to follow the ethical guidelines set forth by the APA (American Psychological Association) and federal government, which includes ensuring the well-being of the animal subjects and minimizing any potential harm or distress. Therefore, option A and B are incorrect. Additionally, even though rats are not considered sentient beings, informed consent is not applicable in animal research, as animals cannot provide consent like humans can.

Question 17

When can research participants withdraw from a study?

Accepted Answer

Participants have the right to withdraw from a study at any time, for any reason or no reason at all. This is emphasized in the informed consent form that participants sign before the study begins.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is NOT a pseudopsychology claim?

Accepted Answer

The statement about self-confidence and serotonin levels is based on empirical research and is therefore not a pseudopsychology claim. The other statements rely on non-scientific beliefs and practices.

Question 19

An organization conducted by psychologists that establishes the ethical guidelines for research is the __________.

Accepted Answer

The American Psychological Association (APA) is an organization of psychologists in the United States that establishes ethical guidelines for research. The other options, American Medical Foundation, American Civil Liberties Union, and Society of Psychological Scientists, are not responsible for creating ethical guidelines for research.

Question 20

Assuming that Stanley Milgram's famous 1963 obedience study was not ethical by today's standards, at what point would his study have been discontinued?

Accepted Answer

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is responsible for reviewing research studies to ensure that they meet ethical guidelines. The IRB would have likely discontinued Milgram's study if they had reviewed it and found that it did not meet ethical standards. Therefore, the study would have been discontinued at the point of review by the IRB.

Quiz 1: The Science of Psychology