Which are core principles of ethical informed consent in psychological research?

• A. Voluntary participation and the right to withdraw.
• B. Deception is always allowed.
• C. Confidentiality, comprehension of procedures/risks, voluntary participation, right to withdraw.
• D. Only adult participants qualify; minors are not allowed.

Answer: (C)

The essential idea here is that consenting to participate in research must be voluntary and informed. Participants need to understand what the study involves, including the procedures and any potential risks, and they should know how their data will be kept confidential. They must be able to decide freely whether to participate and have the right to withdraw at any time without penalty. These elements—confidentiality, comprehension of procedures and risks, voluntary participation, and the right to withdraw—together form the practical framework that protects participants and respects their autonomy.

Deception is not automatically permitted; it is allowed only under stringent conditions, with a plan for debriefing afterward. And participation isn’t limited to adults; minors can participate with appropriate parental consent and participant assent, with extra protections in place.