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You are designing an experiment in which you induce a temporary sad mood in participants by having them read tragic news stories. Apply standard psychological ethics to describe a concrete procedure you would incorporate into your debriefing script to return your participants' moods to normal.

Question: You are designing an experiment in which you induce a temporary sad mood in participants by having them read tragic news stories. Apply standard psychological ethics to describe a concrete procedure you would incorporate into your debriefing script to return your participants' moods to normal.

Sample answer: To return the participants' moods to normal after the sad mood induction, the debriefing script will include a procedure where participants watch a brief, lighthearted or happy video, listen to upbeat/happy music, or write down several happy personal thoughts immediately after the memory task. This active mood-reversal step ensures that we minimize any negative emotions induced during the research.

Key points:

  • Apply the requirement to minimize or reverse induced negative emotions (sadness) to this specific research scenario.
  • Propose a concrete mood-reversal activity such as listening to happy music, watching a happy video, or thinking happy thoughts.
  • Specify that this active mood-reversal must occur during the debriefing session before the participant departs.

Rubric: The response must apply the concept of minimizing harm by proposing a concrete, active method to reverse the sad mood (e.g., listening to happy music, watching a happy video, or thinking happy thoughts) before the participant leaves the study.

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Updated 2026-05-26

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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