Ethical Implications

Question 1

Ethical implications

Answer 1

ethical guidelines were established to help protect those involved in research

Question 2

Social sensitive research

Answer 2

Sieber and Stanley 1988
Some areas of research are likely to be more controversial
They attract a good deal of attention from the media and the public
Psychologists may have a social responsibility to carry it out

Question 3

Ethical issues in socially sensitive research

Answer 3

Joan Sieber and Liz Stanley have identified a number of concerns that researchers should be mindful of when conducting socially sensitive research

Implications- Wider effects of research need to be considered as some studies may be seen as giving ‘scientific’ credence to prejudice and discrimination

Uses/public policy- What is the research likely to be used for? And what would happen if it was used for the wrong purpose?

The validity of the research- Some findings were presented as objective and value-free in the past have actually turned out to be highly suspect and in some cases fraudulent.

Question 4

AO3- Ethical Implications
Benefits of socially sensitive research

Answer 4

Sandra Scarr (1988) argues that the studies of underrepresented groups and issues may promote a greater sensitivity and understanding of these
Help reduce prejudice and encourage acceptance
Benefited society- research into EWT has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice within the legal system

Question 5

AO3 Ethical Implications
Costs and Benefits

Answer 5

Its the ethics committee job to weigh the potential costs and benefits of the research
However, we have already seen that some of the social consequences of research involving vulnerable groups may be difficult to anticipate. The real impact of research can only ever be known once it has been made public

Question 6

AO3 Ethical Implications
Social Control

Answer 6

In America, in the 20s and 30s, a large number of US states enacted legislation that led to the compulsory sterilization of many citizens on the grounds that they were ‘feeble-minded’ and a drain to society.
Included people deemed to be low intelligence, drug/alcohol addicts and mentally ill.
Supported by psychologists who believed they were unfit to breed