2.6: Ethical implications of research studies and theory

Question 1

Briefly outline what is meant by social sensitivity in research (2 marks)

Answer 1

Social sensitivity in research concerns the extent to which psychological research has wider ethical implications that impact outside of the research context. For example, for identifiable groups in society whom the results may apply to, such as
homosexuals

Question 2

Explain why it is sometimes necessary to deceive participants in social influence research (2 marks)

Answer 2

It is sometimes necessary to deceive participants in social influence research, because if participants knew the aim, they might change their behaviour.
This could affect the validity of the results obtained

Question 3

Describe one way in which deception has been dealt with in social influence research (2 marks)

Answer 3

One way in which deception has been dealt with in social influence research is by gaining presumptive consent by asking people similar to the participant if they think it is okay to do the experiment