Ethical implications

Question 1

What is socially sensitive research?

Answer 1

Sieber and Stanley 1988 defined socially sensitive research as that which can lead to negative consequences for either the people or institutions participating directly in the research or the group who the research is about

Question 2

What is meant by the ethical implications of psychological research?

Answer 2

It concerns the way that research impacts on those who take part in research and on the way the findings are communicated to the public and how the findings are used.

Question 3

What are the three concerns that researchers should be mindful of when conducting socially sensitive research laid out by Sieber and Stanley?

Answer 3

1. Implications–> wider effects of research.
2. Uses/public policy –> What will this research be used for? And what will happen if it’s used in the wrong way?
3. The validity of the research –> are the findings correct?

Question 4

Explain a psychological theory which could be socially sensitive.

Answer 4

Bowlby’s claim that Infants must form one very special emotional bond with their mothers or else they would damage their children’s social, cognitive and emotional development leads to the view that women must stay at home.

Question 5

Socially sensitive research has led to social control.

Answer 5

Research into intelligence.
The book ‘The Bell Curve’= controversial publication where psychological research was used to argue it was a waste of resources to improve educational opportunities of disadvantaged groups because these groups are genetically destined to be low achievers. Could be used to justify eugenics programmes and the compulsory sterilisation of groups such as the mentally ill, addicts or those with intelligence on the basis that they are “feeble-minded” and a drain on society.

Question 6

Been used to shape social policy

Answer 6

Findings of socially sensitive research has been used by the government and other institutions to shape social policy.
Research into the unreliability of eyewitness considered socially sensitive but has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice within the legal system, suggesting that socially sensitive research may play a valuable role in society.
A meta-analysis on the cognitive interview by Kohnken et al. (1999) found an average of 41% increase in correct information.

Question 7

Inadequacy of current ethical guidlines

Answer 7

Psychologists have developed strict ethical guidelines that aim to protect the immediate needs of research participants, but they may not deal with all the possible ways in which research may inflict harm on a group of people or section of society.

IQ tests administered to black Americans show they typically score 15 points less than whites. When taking these tests it is presumed they complete them willingly and are not harmed, but when published the findings are used to discriminate and reinforce stereotypes.

Question 8

Eval points

Answer 8

S - Shaping social policy
L - Social control
L - Inadequacy of current guidelines