Ethical Implications

Question 1

Define ethical implication.

Answer 1

Impact that results of research may have on the rights others wider society.

Question 2

What is an ethical issue?

Answer 2

Arise when a conflict exists between the rights of participants a goals of research.
Must find way to deal with inline with guidelines.

Question 3

What are ethical guidelines?

Answer 3

A set of rules crated by BPS which must be followed when conducting research e.g. informed consent, right to withdraw.

Question 4

What is socially sensitive research?

Answer 4

Studies where there are potential social consequences, either directly for participants or the class of individuals represented by research e.g. how they are treated or perceived.

Question 5

What are the main areas of psychological research that raise issues of social sensitivity?

Answer 5

Culture and ethnicity.
Sex and gender.

Question 6

Name one example of socially sensitive research.

Answer 6

Bowlby theory of attachment - internal working model, law of accumulation of separation - guilt for parents returning to work.

Question 7

Explain one strength of socially sensitive research.

Answer 7

There can be benefits.
Scarr argues it may be good for underrepresented groups as may promote greater understanding and reduce prejudice - e.g. research into EWT has reduced the risk of errors in the legal system.
Whilst it is risky, it can be valuable to society.

Question 8

Describe one weakness of socially sensitive research.

Answer 8

Costs and benefits are difficult to predict.
Research is assessed by an ethical committee.
However consequences are often difficult to anticipate.
Assessments of ‘worth’ of research are typically subjective and the real impact is only ever known once it’s made public - making it difficult to manage potential harm in advance.

Question 9

What groups may be affected by implications.

Answer 9

Participants, public, groups studied, government bodies.

Question 10

Explain one weakness of socially sensitive research.

Answer 10

Potential damage.
Burt research into his belief that intelligence was genetic contributed to the 11+ exam - determine if get into grammar school or no.
Affected education of generations of children if they were not deemed smart enough.

Question 11

What are seiber and Stanley’s 4 considerations.

Answer 11

Research question.
Methodology.
The institutional context - who is funding it and how will they sue the data.
Interpretation and application of findings - will it be used to enforce policy.