Ethical Implications

Question 1

what are ethical implications?

Answer 1

The wider impacts or consequences of psychological research, and how this affects the participants and the rights of other people

Question 2

give an example of a study with ethical implications

Answer 2

• Milgrams obedience research
• Zimbardo’s prison experiment

Question 3

given an example of a theory with ethical implications

Answer 3

Bowlbys theory of attachment and monotropy

Question 4

what is social sensitivity?

Answer 4

Sieber and Sanely (1988) defined research or theory as socially sensitive when there are potential direct consequences for the participants or the group of people represented by the research

Question 5

what are the 4 aspects in the research processes at which ethical issues with social consequences may occur (identified by Sieber and Stanley)?

Answer 5

1. the research question
2. the methodology
3. the institutional context
4. the findings

Question 6

explain how the research question can have ethical implications

Answer 6

certain questions may be damaging to members of a particular group

Question 7

explain how the methodology can have ethical implications

Answer 7

researcher needs to consider the treatment of participants and their right to confidentiality and anonymity

Question 8

explain how the institutional context can have ethical implications

Answer 8

researcher should be mindful or how the data is going to be used and consider who is funding the research

Question 9

explain how the findings can have ethical implications

Answer 9

findings may be interpreted and applied in a negative way

Question 10

give an example of socially sensitive research

Answer 10

Raine et al (1997) studied murderers brains, and found damage to areas related to impulse control.
this is socially sensitive because can help identity those with a predisposition to violent behaviour

Question 11

give an example of an ethical issue that relates to socially sensitive research

Answer 11

• informed consent
• anonymity
• ownership of data
• privacy
• deception

Question 12

give an evaluation point of socially sensitive research

Answer 12

• can lead to discrimination
• has societal benefits
• can reduce prejudice

Question 13

how can socially sensitive research lead to discrimination?

Answer 13

• research into certain topic, e.g. father as primary caregiver, can increase discrimination to certain groups
• psychologists should consider the wider impacts of their research to society prior and post publication
• psychologists could engage more actively with the media and policymakers after publication to help avoid discrimination

Question 14

how is socially sensitive useful and beneficial for society?

Answer 14

• can provide conclusions that bare highly useful which can directly impact policy and practice to benefit society
• socially sensitive research can be used by the government and other organisation to positive shape policy

Question 15

how can socially sensitive research reduce prejudice?

Answer 15

• can reduce prejudice through challenging misconceptions and aid advancement in psychology
• avoiding studying vulnerable or underrepresented groups may be detrimental
• research into such topics may actually promote a greater understanding, which can help reduce prejudice and stigma