Explain ethical issues that may arise in developmental research, like Kohlberg’s moral development study
Developmental research often involves children, raising ethical concerns about informed consent + understanding. In Kohlberg’s study, children were interviewed about complex, hypothetical moral dilemmas. A key issue is that young participants may not have fully understood the scenarios or the purpose of the study, making it difficult to ensure true informed consent.
Psychological harm is another concern. Asking children to reflect on moral issues like life, death, or justice may cause confusion or distress, especially if they feel pressured to give the "right" answer. Additionally, social desirability bias can affect results, as children may try to answer in ways they believe are expected by adults.
