Ethical implications

Question 1

What are ethical implications?

Answer 1

Consequences of research in terms of the effects on participants/on the way in which certain groups are regarded

Question 2

What are the main ethical guidelines (BPS)?

Answer 2

• Deception
• Protection from harm
• Informed consent
• Privacy/confidentiality
• Briefing/debriefing
• Right to withdraw

Question 3

When do ethical issues typically arise?

Answer 3

When there is conflict between the need to gain validity, whilst preserving the rights of participants

Question 4

What is social sensitivity?

Answer 4

When studies contain potentially negative consequences for either the participants, or the wider group being studied

Question 5

What is social policy?

Answer 5

A plan/action from the government/institutional agencies that aim to improve/reform society

Question 6

What are the 3 main things to consider when thinking about ethical implications?

Answer 6

1) Ethical issues (participants)
2) Ethical implications (wider group being studied)
3) Socially sensitive (society)

Question 7

What are some examples of ethical implications for studies?

Answer 7

• Milgram obedience study= deception, psychological harm, but informed consent and debriefing. Treatment= justified, 84% happy to have taken part, implications= develop understanding of why people obey
• Ainsworth strange situation= labelling, stigma associated with certain attachment types (e.g: type C- bullies, relationship difficulties)

Question 8

What are some examples of ethical implications for theories?

Answer 8

• Bowlby maternal deprivation= suggests mothers are key attachment figures- if attachment not formed during critical period, child faces developmental issues. Suggests mothers should be primary caregivers. Implications= mothers feel guilty for working, seen by society as ‘bad’ parents
• Milgram agency theory= people may use theory to justify/as an excuse for destructive behaviour. Allows them to be let off/disasociate themselves from their actions

Question 9

What 4 aspects do Sieber and Stanley say raise ethical implications in research?

Answer 9

1) Research question (phrasing could be damaging)
2) Methodology (way participants are treated- adherence to BPS guidelines)
3) Institutional context (how data is used- e.g. may give credence to prejudices, who funds research)
4) Interpretation/application of findings

Question 10

Strength-
I- Benefits for the group being studied

Answer 10

D- 1952, homosexuality listed in DSm-1 as a ‘sociopathic personality disorder’, but removed in 1973. Kinsey report= based on anonymous interviews about male sexuality- concludes homosexuality is an expression of human sexual behaviour
E- Illustrates importance of researchers tackling sensitive topics

Question 11

Limitation-
I- Negative consequences for the group

Answer 11

D- Research investigating genetic basis of criminality found a ‘criminal gene’. Should someone convicted be excused/not held accountable for their crime if they have said gene?
E- Suggests there is a need for careful consideration of possible outcomes and their consequences when carrying out socially sensitive research

Question 12

Strength-
I- Real world application

Answer 12

D- Government looks to research when developing social policies (childcare, education, mental provision, crime). Preferable to base policies on scientific research. ONS- responsible for collecting, analsying, disseminating objective stats about Uk economy, society, population
E- Means psychs have a key role in providing high quality research on socially sensitive topics

Question 13

Limitation-
I- Poor research design

Answer 13

D- Burt’s research contributed to development of 11+ exam, determining which type of secondary school kids go to. Government base policies on his research that IQ= highly heritable and could be detected by 11 years old. Research found to be fake, but 11+ exam still used today
E- Socially sensitive research must be planned with great care to ensure valid findings due to enduring effects on particular groups

Question 14

Evaluation extra-
I- To do or not to do?

Answer 14

Strength- Sieber and Stanley advised that ignoring topics is irresponsible. Possibility is to follow qualitative researchers who are upfront about own biases, and are reflexive- clear that researcher’s interpretation is possible, but not necessarily true

Limitation- Ignoring socially sensitive research may be best- American Psych Association reports that ethical committe approved 95% of non-sensitive proposals vs 50% of sensitive ones

E- Suggests socially sensitive topics can be researched ethically but researchers should be explicit about their own theoretical position