A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What ethical concern is more likely in field experiments compared to laboratory experiments?

1. Informed consent

2. Deception

3. Right to withdraw

4. Debriefing

The correct answer is: Deception

Deception is indeed more likely to be a concern in field experiments compared to laboratory experiments. This is largely due to the nature of field studies, which often occur in real-world settings where participants may be unaware that they are part of a research study. Researchers might not want participants to know the true purpose of the study to avoid biasing their behavior—hence the potential for deceiving participants is heightened. In laboratory settings, researchers have more control over the environment and can more easily manage participant awareness, making deception less necessary. Overall, the ethical implications of conducting field experiments often revolve around the risk of deception increasing because researchers may prioritize ecological validity over participant awareness.