Which statement best contrasts assent with consent?

• A. Assent is verbal confirmation by the participant; consent is legal authorization
• B. Assent is legal authorization; consent is verbal confirmation
• C. Assent is written approval; consent is social agreement
• D. Assent is parental permission; consent is the participant's agreement

Answer: (A)

The key idea is the difference in who gives permission and how binding that permission is. Consent is the legal authorization to participate, given by the person who has the capacity to decide (or by a parent/guardian when the participant is a minor). Assent is the minor’s affirmative agreement to participate, acknowledging they understand to the extent possible; it is not legal permission and can be verbal or nonverbal.

So, the statement that assent is the participant’s verbal confirmation and consent is the legal authorization best captures this contrast: assent represents the individual’s agreement, while consent represents the formal, legally binding permission. In practice, assent can be nonverbal with very young children, but the core distinction remains that assent is the person’s agreement, not a legal grant of authority.