Ethical Implications

Question 1

What are ethical issues?

Answer 1

Consider rights and dignity of participants, usually easy to predict

Question 2

What are ethical implications?

Answer 2

Considers impact or consequences of psychological research or theories on society and the way certain groups are regarded e.g. effects of publications on public, use of findings (allocation of resources/political consequences), economic implications

Question 3

Give examples of ethical implications in psychological research

Answer 3

Bowlbys monotonic theory
- May pressure working mothers to stay at home; could also inform policies
Biological determinism : MAOA gene
- could prevent people with genes from having children or imprison those with gene
Positive
- mental illness treatments
- EWT; leading questions, anxiety etc

Question 4

What ethical concerns must be considered in psychological research?

Answer 4

1 research question = ensure questions are not damaging to certain groups or the way findings are interpreted
2 dealing with participants = consider ethical issues
3 use of findings = need to consider how findings may be applied e.g. policies or resources and funding