Ethical Implications Flashcards
What are ethical implications
Impact psychological research may have in terms of the rights of others which arises when there is a conflict between psychologists need to gain valid and valuable research findings whilst preserving rights and dignity of participants
What is socially sensitive research
Studies in which there are potential consequences/implications either directly for ppts or for the class of individuals represented by the research
Ethical implications in socially sensitive research
-implications(wider effects of such research should be carefully considered, some may be seen as giving scientific credence to prejudice)
-public policy(can be used for wrong purpose, may be adopted by government for political ends)
-validity of the research (some findings presented as objective in the past have turned out to be fraudulent)
-use of findings eg allocation of resources (funding for childcare resources)
-economic implications eg funding for further psychological research
Ways to deal with ethical implications
-consider research question carefully and whether it is damaging to particular group
-dealing with ppts: informed consent, confidentiality and psychological harm
-ways the findings are used: consider in advance how findings may be used as may impact on what data they intend to collect
-submit research to ethics committees and abide by their recommendations
-weigh up costs and benefits before conducting research, only preceded where benefits outweigh costs
-reflexive practice- acknowledge how own personal beliefs may have affected research process
Examples of socially sensitive research
Eg research investigating the genetic basis of criminality/ Bowlbys monotropic theory
Expand on strength that there can be benefits of socially sensitive research
-despite the ethical implications associated with research intro controversial and taboo topics, some argue that studies of underrepresented groups and issues may promote a greater sensitivity and understanding of these which can help reduce prejudice and encourage acceptance
-also benefitted society eg research into the reliability of EWTs has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice within the legal system/ used to establish free childcare for 1 year olds
-suggests that socially sensitive research may play a valuable role in society
Expand on implication to the way the question is framed
-researchers warn that the way in which research questions are phrased and investigated may influence the way in which findings are interpreted, eg cross cultural research may be affected by cultural superiority and ethnocentrism on the part of the researchers
-also research into ‘alternative relationships’ has been guilty of a form of heterosexual bias within which homosexual relationships compared and judged against heterosexual norms
-suggests investigators must approach their research with an open mind and be prepared to have their preconceptions challenged if they are to avoid misrepresenting minority groups
Expand on implication of validity of socially sensitive research
-has been used by the government and other institutions to shape social policy
-eg Burt influential in creating 11+ exam which determines what type of secondary school a child attends, gov at the time based it’s policies on burts twin studies showing intelligence highly inheritable and could be detected by age 11
-discrepancies in burts data later revealed much of it was fake and he was publicly discredited however 11+ still used today
-highlights importance of research into sensitive topics needing to be planned with greatest of care to ensure findings are valid because of potential effects on groups of people
Expand on implication that research used in social control
-In America in the 20s large number of states enacted legislation that led to the compulsory sterilisation of many citizens in groups considered feeble minded and a drain on society, including people deemed to be of low intelligence, drug/alcohol addicts and the mentally ill
-this rationale was supported by many sections of the scientific and psychological community at the time and was that these people were unfit to breed
-socially sensitive research used to back up discriminatory practices in the past
