Answer to Question 1
Inducing depression could involve psychological harm. In addition, you have to have a way to relieve the depression before you can ethically let participants leave the lab. Fortunately, the effects researchers use are temporary and quite mild.
A practical problem involves how you would induce depression. One way was developed by Velten (1967), who asked participants to read increasing more depressed-sounding statements. It had the effect of inducing a mild version of depression, or a lowered mood.
Answer to Question 2
An ABA design presupposes that at the second baseline phase (i.e., the second A phase), the individual's behavior will return to the way it was before the treatment. In behavioral treatment for depression, if therapy is successful, the person will not return to his or her original depressed state. Thus, an ABA design will not be appropriate.
Key steps in ethical dilemma resolution
Depression assessment
Long-Term Potentiation and Long-Term Depression
Summary of Ethical Principles for Massage Therapists
Cone of Depression Formation
depression