Ethical Implications

Question 1

Ethical guidelines

Answer 1

• Refer to the correct rules of necessary conduct when carrying out research outlines by the BPS/APA

Question 2

Ethical issues

Answer 2

• E.g., deception
• Brings systems of morality and principles into conflict

Question 3

Ethical implications

Answer 3

• Consider the impact or concequences of psychological reseach or theory on the rights of the participants taking part and the people in wider context

Question 4

Social sensitivity

Answer 4

• Sieber and Stanley defined research or theory as socially sensitive where there are potential consequences for the group of people represented by the research

Question 5

Ethical implications of research studies - Milgram

Answer 5

• Participants in his research into obedience were highly deceived and were unable to give fully informed consent
• The research methodology caused distress and the participants did not feel as through they could withdraw
• The participants were debriefed after and there was follow up interviews but the results of the research may have affected the participants as they may have found the fact that they obeyed authority to deliberately cause harm difficult to accept

Question 6

Ethical implications of research studies - Zimbardo

Answer 6

• Highly unethical due to the distress it caused the participants
• So extreme that the research had to be stopped early due to the distress of those in the role of the prisoner
• The guards may have also felt distressed after the experiment due to their own behaviour

Question 7

Ethical implications of theory - Bowlby

Answer 7

• Theory of attachment and monotropy suggests that children form one special attachment bond, this is usually with the mother and this must be formed within a critical period
• Can also form an internal working model for future relationships
• Ethical implications as it argues a woman’s role is to be the PCG so may feel guilty going to work etc
• May discourage fathers to be the PCG or may make them question their ability to parent a child in a lone parent family

Question 8

What issue must researches consider when being caution about social sensitivity

Answer 8

• Reflexivity: the influental position of the researcher and researcher responsibility

Question 9

Social sensitivity stages 1-4

Answer 9

1. The research question
2. The methodology used
3. The institutional context
4. Interpretation and application of findings

Question 10

1 The research question

Answer 10

• Research must consider their research question carefully and ensure the group in the study aren’t damaged by the question/misrepresented by the question

Question 11

2 The methodoly used

Answer 11

• Needs to consider the treatment of the participants and their right to confidentiality and anonymity
• Consider the possible reactions
• Submit to ethics committee to review costs and benefits prior to implementation

Question 12

3 The instituational context

Answer 12

• Mindful about how the data is going to be used and who is funding the research

Question 13

4 Interpretation and application of findings

Answer 13

• Considr how their findings might be applied to the real world
• Take stepos to avoid prejudice or distasteful media presentation against a particular social group

Question 14

Socially sensitive research

Answer 14

• Raine et al (forensics)
• Used brain scans of violent criminals to examine their level of impulse control
• Found there was damage to most areas of the brain, focused around the frontal lobe which specialises in impulse control
• Findings may be interpreted in a way that suggests children should have brain scans to identify a predisposition for offending behaviour
• May feel unease as what to do with this knowledge if they are predisposed to violent behaviour = support for GMOS’s
• Legal implications = “born this way”