ETHICAL IMPLICATION Flashcards
Define ethical implications
Impact that psychological research may have in terms of rights of other people especially participants this includes: at societal level, influencing public policy and/or way in which certain groups of people are regarded
Define social sensitivity
Studies in which there are potential consequences or implications, either directly for the participant in research or for the class of individuals represented by the research
- where the topic area and/or group studied can have implications for society/certain groups in society
- potentially leading to a change in, or justification for, the way these groups are treated/perceived
What do psychologists have to follow in the UK and explain what’s included (5)
psychologists follow the BPS guidelines when using human participants
- all leave in a similar state of mind to how they turned up - not having been deceived or humiliated - given a debrief - not having had their confidentiality breached - no ethical concerns with their research.
Explain how IQ tests can lead to racial stereotypes being reinforced
IQ tests administered to black Americans show that they typically score 15 points below the average white score.
When black Americans are given these tests they presumably complete them willingly and are in no way harmed as individuals. However, when published, findings of this sort seek to reinforce racial stereotypes and are used to discriminate against the black population in the job market etc.
What were the 4 main examples of things that can be effected in a socially sensitive research
- Members of the social group being studied such as racial or ethnic group. For example early research on IQ was used to discriminate against US Black pop
- Friends and relatives of those taking part in the study, particularly in case studies, where individuals may become famous or infamous.
- The research team. There are examples of researchers being intimidated because of the line of research they are in.
- The institution in which the research is conducted.
What is the main conflict that may cause ethical implications
May arise when there is conflict between psychology’s need for valid and valuable research findings
Whilst preserving rights and dignity of participants
What did Stanley et al identify as concerns that researcher should be mindful of and explain them (4)
- Implications: wider effect of research considered as some studies may be seen as giving scientific presence to prejudice and discrimination such as studies examining the racial basis of intelligence→however implications of research may be difficult for predict at the outset
- Uses/public policy: what is this research being used for? What will happen if was use for wrong purpose? Related to idea that findings may be adopted by government for political ends or to shape public policies
- Validity of research: some findings that were presented as objective and value free in past have actually turned out to be in some cases fraudulent→ however many modern social constructionist researchers who may tackle socially sensitive areas of research are much more upfront about their own biases and preconceptions and include comment on the reflexive nature of the work in the publications—influential position of the researcher and researcher responsibility
- cost/benefit discussion, eg consideration of whether the benefits of publication outweigh the costs ie short-term cost (at time of publication) versus long-term gain (in years to come and for future
generations)
- Explains Burt research and how did this influence public policies (4)
- Influential in establishing the 11+ examination in UK which was used to determine whether children had a secondary modern education or went on to study at grammar school (decision was arguably had significant impact on the subsequent life chances)
- views were based on evidence he produced that intelligence was genetic⇒citing studies of twin studies that showed heritability coefficient of 0.77
- Discrepancies of his data revealed that had made much of it up as well as inventing two research assistants⇒ publicly discredited
- 11+ Idea that children should be separated on basis of their natural intelligence remained for a good few years afterwards and still lingers
- What are factors ppl need to be aware of when conducting socially sensitive research (7)
- They need to take more care over consent, debriefing, etc., when the issue is sensitive.
- They should be aware of how their findings may be interpreted & used by others.
- They should make explicit the assumptions underlying their research, so that the public can consider whether they agree with these.
- They should make the limitations of their research explicit (e.g. ‘the study was only carried out on white middle class American male students’, ‘the study is based on questionnaire data, which may be inaccurate’, etc.
- They should be careful how they communicate with the media and policymakers.
- They should be aware of the balance between their obligations to participants and those to society (e.g. if the participant tells them something which they feel they should tell the police/social services).
- They should be aware of their own values and biases and those of the participants.
- Explain Milgrams research and how this influenced public policies (4)
needs to be considered whether the ‘ends justify the means’
participants were deceived and were unable to give fully informed consent. The experiment also caused significant distress, and the participants were told to continue against their will. however, the participants were debriefed after the experiment and a follow-up interview took place a year later. The outcome of these follow-up interviews suggested that the participants had suffered no long-term effects. - cost benefit analysis However the study still has huge amounts of ethical issues.
Milgram’s research has had profound implications for the study of individual behavior that results in harm to others, demonstrated by events like the Holocaust and the My Lai massacre, showing that obedience to authority figures stems from the construction of a situation or context of authority, within which various conditions such as authority/subject proximity, authority legitimacy and attribution of responsibility, are important determinants of subject’s obedience. Additionally, the study findings serve as explanatory factors for how it is that normal law-abiding citizens come to commit such acts of violence to innocent strangers.
Evaluate framing the question (-ve)
Stanley et al warns way questions are phrased may influence way in which findings are interpreted
Eg cross culture research may be brighted by cultural superiority & ethnocentrism on part of researcher So researcher must approach research with open mind and be prepared to have their preconceptions challenged to avoid misrepresenting minority groups
- Evaluate how SS has benefited research (+ve) (2)
argues studies of underrespresented groups and issues may promote greater sensitivity & understanding of these⇒ help reduce prejudice & encourage acceptance
- Most research is still carried out on white middle class Americans (about 90% of research quoted in texts!). SSR is helping to redress the balance and make us more aware of other cultures and outlooks. - SSR has been of benefit to society, for example EWT. This has made us aware that EWT can be flawed and should not be used without corroboration. It has also made us aware that the EWT of children is every bit as reliable as that of adults.
