ethical implications Flashcards
Ethical issues?
Ethical issues arise because of conflict between the need for valid research findings and preserving the rights of participants. Ethical guidelines protect participants and guide researchers. Guidelines are also related to the ethical implications (consequences) of research.
Socially sensitive research?
Psychologists must be aware of the consequences of research for the research participants or for the group of people represented by the research. Some research is more socially sensitive (e.g. studying depression) but even seemingly innocuous research (e.g. long term memory in a student population) may have consequences (e.g. for exam policy).
Implications for the research processes
Consequences should be considered at all stages of the research process.
Research question
The phrasing of the research question influences how the findings are interpreted. For example, if a research study is looking at alternative relationships this is likely to focus on homosexual relationships and may overlook heterosexual ones because alternative suggests alternative to heterosexual relationships (Kitzinger and Coyle 1995).
Dealing with participants
For example, informed consent, confidentiality and psychological harm. For example, when interviewing victims of domestic abuse, participants may worry about an ex-partner finding out what they said and also participants may find the experience of talking about abusive experiences stressful.
The way findings are used
Need to consider in advance how findings might be used, especially because findings may give scientific credence to prejudices. For example the use of early (flawed) IQ tests in America during World War I led to prejudice against Eastern Europeans and lower immigration quota. The media may be especially interested in sensitive findings e.g. research on patients in minimally conscious state who appeared to be responsive (Cyranoski 2012)
A03:One limitation is that poor research design may have a long-term impact.
For example, Burt’s (1955) research on IQ showed it is genetic, fixed and apparent by age 11. Led to 11+ exams which meant not all children had the same educational opportunities. Research later shown to be based on invented evidence but the system didn’t change and continues in parts of the UK today (e.g. Kent and Belfast).
Therefore any SSR needs to be planned with care to ensure the findings are valid because of the enduring effects on particular groups of people.
A03:One strength is that policymakers rely on SSR.
Government needs research when developing social policy related to child care, education, mental health provision, crime etc. Better to base such policies on scientific research rather than politically-motivated views. For example the ONS (Office for National Statistics) are responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating objective statistics about the UK’s economy, society and population.
This means that psychologists also have an important role to play in providing high quality research on socially sensitive topics.
A03:Another strength of SSR is benefits for the group studied.
The DSM-1 listed homosexuality as a sociopathic personality disorder but finally removed it in 1973, as a result of the Kinsey report (Kinsey et al 1948). Anonymous interviews with over 5000 men about their sexual behaviour concluded that homosexuality is a normal variant of human sexual behaviour.
This illustrates the importance of researchers tackling topics that are sensitive.
A03 (counter): However there may be negative consequences that could have been anticipated e.g. research on the criminal gene.
Implies that people can’t be held responsible for their wrongdoing.
This suggests that, when researching socially sensitive topics, there is a need for very careful consideration of the possible outcomes and their consequences.
