Ethical implications Flashcards
What is the issue
The way research impacts those who participate and the impact of the research findings on psychology and the wider society.
Psychological research has implications for
-influencing of public policy
-the way certain social groups are treated or percieved
Socially sensitive research
Areas of study that are more controversial than others
what does Aronson suggest regarding socially sensitive research
Psychologists have a social responsibility to conduct socially sensitive research
Who is affected by socially sensitive research
members of the group studied
friends and relatives of the pps
The research team
The institution being studied
Ethical issues in socially sensitive research
-The research question
-The methodology used
-The institutional context
-Interpretation and application of findings
Why is the research question an ethical issue
The researcher should be careful with their question to prevent damaging members of a particular group.
why is the methodology used an ethical issue
The researcher should consider the treatment and confidentiality of pps and be aware certain methods may induce more stress in individuals
Why is the institutional context an ethical issue
You must be mindful over how the data will be used and who is funding it (their motivation)
Why is interpretation and application of findings an ethical issue
How their findings may be interpreted and applied in the world could develop public policies but this may come with risks
Benefits of socially sensitive research
Scarr argues under-represented gruops and issues may promote greater understanding to help prejudice and encourage acceptance.
-e.g research into validity of EWT has improved the legal system.
Cost vs benefit of research
Consequences of research of vulnerable groups may be hard to anticipate. assessment of the worth of research is subjective and can only be known when it is made public.
Framing the question in studies
Sieber and Stanley warn how research questions are phrased may influence the interpretation.
e.g research into ‘alternative relationships’ judges homosexual relationships against heterosexual norms.
Researchers should be open minded and challenge their preconceptions.
Examples of socially sensitive research
Raine- brain scans on criminals and found damage to the pre-frontal cortex. Results in an ethical dilemma about what to do with someone who is predisposed to an illness.
