Ethical Implications

Question 1

Ethical Issues

Answer 1

1) Issues arise cause of conflict between need for valid research findings & preserving rights of pps.
2) Ethical guidelines protect pps & guide researchers - guidelines are also related to the ethical implications of research.

Question 2

Guidelines

Answer 2

Consent, confidentiality, briefing, right to withdraw, protection from harm, deception.

Question 3

Research Question

Answer 3

Phrasing of research question influences how findings are interpreted.

E.g. study on ‘alternative relationships’ is likely to focus on homosexual relations & may overlook hetero ones cause ‘alternative’ suggests alternative to hetero relationships.

Question 4

Dealing with Pps

Answer 4

E.g. Informed consent, confidentiality & psych harm.

–> When interviewing victims of domestic abuse, pps may worry about an ex-partner finding out & also pps may find experience of talking about abusive experiences stressful

Question 5

Socially Sensitive Research (SSR)

Answer 5

1) Psychologists must consider what the results may tell society.
E.g. Findings can negatively impact individuals or groups// participants themselves or their families.

2) May cause stereotypes or stigma to develop against these individuals or groups.

2) SSR - term for any psych research that has ethical implications that go beyond the research situation –> affect ppl or groups in wider society.

Question 6

SSR - Genetic Testing

Answer 6

1) If researchers found that certain genes were linked to a certain psychological disorder, genetic testing for the genes could be made compulsory.

2) Genetic testing could definitely help people, but stigma may develop for those that have the genes - Change how others treat/ view them.

Question 7

SSR - Race

Answer 7

1) IQ tests, e.g. Yerkes (1917), have cultural bias because some of the questions require certain knowledge that is based in cultural references.
2) This led to certain races scoring less in the IQ test which can cause negative stigmas on intelligence.

–> BUT low scores do not reflect low intelligence, just the lack of cultural knowledge.

Question 8

Strength of SSR

Answer 8

BENEFITS FOR THE GROUP STUDIED

RESEARCH IN GENDER ROLES
1) An example of SSR is research into gender roles and the primary caregiver.

2) Results have shown that fathers can be the primary caregiver - This has a positive effect on the economy because it can influence mothers returning to work after childbirth.

HOMOSEXUALITY
1) The DSM-1 listed homosexuality as a ‘sociopathic personality disorder’ but removed it as a result of the Kinsey report - anonymous interviews with over 5000 men about their sexual behaviour concluded that homosexuality is a normal variant of human sexual behaviour.

–> This illustrates importance of researchers tackling sensitive topics.

Question 9

Limitation of SSR

Answer 9

POOR RESEARCH DESIGN MAY HAVE A LONG-TERM IMPACT

1) Burt’s research on IQ showed it is genetic, fixed & apparent by age 11 –> led to 11+ exam which meant not all children had same educational opportunities.

2) Research was later shown to be based on invented evidence but the system didn’t change & continues in parts of UK today.

–> SO any SSR needs to be planned with greatest care to ensure findings are valid cause of enduring effects on particular groups of people.