Ethical Considerations in Psychological Research with Minor Participants: An IRB Review Analysis
Overview
This paper examines ethical concerns in a proposed psychology study involving ninth-grade participants exposed to explicit content. The author analyzes parental consent requirements, potential benefits and harms, and concludes the IRB should not approve the proposal due to risks to minors.
What this coursework covers
- Additional Information: Discussion of parental consent and permission requirements for minor participants
- Benefits and Harms: Analysis of research benefits versus potential negative consequences including addiction and poor time management
- Approval of Proposal: IRB recommendation against approval based on participant age and safety concerns
Preview
Ethics in Psychology
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Additional Information
Extra information that is needed from the study is to find out whether the parents to the ninth graders have given permission to their children or not to be part of the research. Ninth graders are mainly of ages 14-15 years, not recognized as adult age in the US (CITI Program, n.d). Therefore, the participants are below age, and additional information should be sought after to know if the children have a blessing from their parents. Information to look for is whether the ninth graders have agreed or if they have been coerced.
Benefits and harms from the research
A major benefit of the research is that more information will explain how explicit content brings an attitude towards sex. In addition, the study will give information as to whether teenagers are aroused by sexual content when they have been exposed to their medium. However, major harm that may emanate from the research is making the participants addicted to sexual content as they may have an urge to watch more. The other harm from the study is making the participants spend a lot of time watching sexual content leading to poor time management.
Approval of Proposal
As a member of the IRB Review committee, an elite person within society should not approve of the proposal. The main reason for not approving the proposal is that the participants below the adult age (CITI Program, n.d).