Which of the following populations in psychological research typically require additional ethical considerations and protections due to their vulnerability?

• A. Licensed psychologists participating as research subjects
• B. Middle-aged adults with no history of mental illness
• C. Healthy college students over the age of 18
• D. Children and individuals with cognitive impairments

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of vulnerable populations in psychological research. These are groups who may have limited capacity to give informed consent or may be at greater risk of harm during research participation.
2. Step 2: Identify characteristics that make a population vulnerable, such as age (e.g., children), cognitive impairments, or other factors that affect decision-making ability or increase susceptibility to coercion or undue influence.
3. Step 3: Review the given options and evaluate which groups typically require additional ethical protections. Licensed psychologists and healthy adults generally have full capacity to consent, while children and individuals with cognitive impairments may not.
4. Step 4: Recall ethical guidelines such as those from the American Psychological Association (APA), which emphasize extra safeguards for vulnerable populations to protect their rights and welfare during research.
5. Step 5: Conclude that children and individuals with cognitive impairments are the populations that typically require additional ethical considerations and protections due to their vulnerability.