US High School Psychology Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Coercion refers to the use of force or intimidation to obtain compliance or influence an individual's decisions against their will. In the context of research and psychology, coercion suggests that participants are pressured or unduly influenced to participate in a study or take certain actions, which compromises their autonomy and ability to make informed choices. This unethical practice undermines the principle of voluntary participation, which is a cornerstone of ethical research standards.

The other terms present different ethical violations or concerns. Manipulation involves altering or influencing a participant's behavior or decision in a way that might not be transparent but doesn't necessarily involve pressure or force. Deception involves misleading participants about the true nature of the study, which can impact informed consent but is not inherently about undue influence. A breach of confidentiality pertains to the unauthorized disclosure of private information, which also does not directly describe the influence on a participant's decision-making process. Thus, coercion accurately captures the essence of undue influence in decision-making.