11. ISSUES & DEBATES (ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH STUDIES AND THEORY, INCLUDING REFERENCE TO SOCIAL SENSITIVITY) Flashcards
What does the term ethical implications in psychology refer to?
Ethical implications refer to the impact or consequences that psychological research has on the rights of people, beyond just the participants, in a wider societal context.
What is social sensitivity in psychological research?
Social sensitivity refers to research that could have potential social consequences for the participants or groups represented by the research. The outcomes could affect how these groups are treated or perceived in society.
Who coined the term socially sensitive research and in what year?
The term socially sensitive research was coined by Sieber & Stanley in 1988.
What are some ways researchers can deal with social sensitivity in their studies?
Researchers should:
* Be aware of the implications and possible negative impacts of their research.
* Take care in protecting the confidentiality and anonymity of participants.
* Brief and debrief participants sensitively.
* Consider how their findings will be interpreted and applied.
What ethical issues must researchers consider before conducting research?
Researchers need to consider:
* The research question (e.g., is it harmful or damaging to any group?).
* The methodology (e.g., how participants will be treated and the right to confidentiality).
* The institutional context (who is funding the research and why).
* The interpretation and application of findings (e.g., how the results might be used in the real world).
Give an example of socially sensitive research in the context of intelligence studies.
Sir Cyril Burt conducted twin studies to argue that intelligence is largely genetic. His work influenced the development of the 11+ exam, which had societal consequences, such as classifying children into selective schools based on this controversial view.
What was the ethical implication of Sir Cyril Burt’s research?
Burt’s research had ethical implications as it helped justify the 11+ exam, which categorized children based on intelligence, and the data was later found to be fabricated, leading to potential harm and false assumptions about intelligence.
What was the social sensitivity of Milgram’s obedience study?
Milgram’s research was socially sensitive because its results could be used to explain why people obey harmful authority figures, which could be applied to justify harmful behaviour, including atrocities committed under authoritative commands.
What were the ethical concerns with Milgram’s obedience research?
Milgram’s study involved deception (participants were unaware they were not administering shocks) and caused distress. However, participants were debriefed and reported no long-term harm, and the findings were valuable for understanding obedience.
What were the ethical implications of Bowlby’s theory of attachment?
Bowlby’s theory suggested that a child’s attachment to their mother during a critical period affects future relationships. This led to societal views that women should stay at home with their children, causing guilt for mothers wanting to return to work.
What social sensitivity concerns arise from Bowlby’s attachment theory?
Bowlby’s theory could be socially sensitive as it might pressure mothers to stay at home and raise their children, potentially stigmatizing those who return to work as neglectful.
What is a limitation of socially sensitive research?
A limitation is that socially sensitive research can lead to prejudice and discrimination. For example, historical research on intelligence contributed to the forced sterilization of people deemed “feeble-minded,” causing harm to certain groups.
What is a potential issue with conducting socially sensitive research?
A potential issue is that socially sensitive research could have negative societal consequences, such as reinforcing harmful stereotypes, discrimination, or social policies, such as forced sterilization in the 1930s based on faulty research.
What is the debate surrounding whether socially sensitive research should be conducted?
Some psychologists argue that socially sensitive research should be avoided due to potential harm, but Sieber & Stanley (1988) contend that avoiding these topics is irresponsible, as such research can benefit society if done ethically.
How can socially sensitive research benefit society?
Socially sensitive research, like eye-witness testimony studies, has led to improvements in legal processes, such as better questioning techniques for children, improving the accuracy of court testimonies and reducing bias.
What is an example of socially sensitive research that helped reduce prejudice?
Sandra Scarr (1988) argued that studying underrepresented groups can promote understanding and reduce prejudice. Research on minority cultures and issues helps to improve societal acceptance and empathy.
What are the dangers of researcher bias in socially sensitive research?
Researcher bias, such as cultural superiority or heterosexual bias, can distort findings and misrepresent certain groups, as seen in cross-cultural research or studies on alternative relationships, leading to socially sensitive conclusions that are inaccurate.
What do Sieber & Stanley (1988) suggest about researcher bias?
Sieber & Stanley suggest that researchers must approach their studies with an open mind and avoid bias when researching sensitive topics like race, gender, or sexual orientation to ensure that their conclusions are fair and valid.
What is an example of socially sensitive research that had negative implications?
In the 1930s, research on intelligence led to policies supporting forced sterilization of people deemed “feeble-minded,” showing how socially sensitive research can be misused to justify harmful societal practices.
How can psychologists ensure ethical sensitivity in research?
Psychologists should ensure that research questions, methodology, and interpretation of findings consider potential harm to individuals or groups, and they should always debrief participants, protect confidentiality, and ensure accuracy in their conclusions.
