In a Memory Study, Researchers Have Participants Study a List

question 212

Multiple Choice

In a memory study, researchers have participants study a list of words, and then tell them it was the wrong list and that they should forget it. This deception is meant to see how effectively participants can forget something they have already studied. If the researchers plan to debrief the participants afterward, would this design meet the standards of an ethical study?

• A) No, it is not okay to mislead individuals during the course of a study.
• B) Yes, given that the participants are not at risk and that they will be debriefed, this seems to be an ethical study.
• C) No, because the researchers should not debrief the participants-it will simply cause them to become angry.
• D) Yes, because participants fully understood all aspects of the study.

---

Definitions:

Stock

Shares of ownership in a corporation, giving shareholders a claim on the company's assets and earnings.

S&P 500

An American stock market index based on the market capitalizations of 500 large companies having common stock listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ.

Diversified Portfolio

An investment strategy that involves spreading investments across various assets classes to reduce risk, enhance returns, and avoid significant impact from any single asset's performance.

ETFs

Exchange-Traded Funds, investment funds traded on stock exchanges, much like stocks.