Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the cognitive level of analysis

The Usage of Deception
Deception is a commonly used technique in experiments relevant to the cognitive perspective.

“Is deception ethically acceptable, and should it be permitted in psychological studies?”

Generally accepted viewpoint on deception is that the benefits of the study must outweigh the right of the participant to be informed.

Pros:

 * Findings suggest deception is not harmful to subjects. Christensen (1988) showed participants did not perceive themselves as harmed, and did not mind being misled. Those involved with experiments in deception reported that they “enjoyed the experience more and had more educational benefit” than those who participated in non-deceptive subjects. Christensen argues that deception is only perceived as unethical when an unpleasant treatment is used. Christensen implicitly argues for deception to be permitted as long as the deception does not have a significant emotional impact or otherwise on them.


 * There is no doubt that the usage of deception has been an integral role in several psychological studies, giving us insight into several key cognitive phenomena (Asch conformity experiments, Rosenhan’s “On being sane in insane places”)

Cons

 * Dresser (1981) stated that subjects are only to participate in experiments with informed consent; however, deception means any consent is misinformed.


 * The usage of deception can also affect further research studies done by experimenters. If the participants are aware that the experimenters have used deception in the past, they are likely to be suspicious and act differently around others.