ethical implications Flashcards
ethical guidelines
a set of principles set out by the BPS to help psychologists behave honetly and with integrity and respect
ethical issues
issues that arise when there is a conflict between the rights of the particiapnt and aims of the reserach
ethical implications
the impact/consequences that research may have for the individuals who take part, and the other people in society that the participants represent
ethical implications of reserach
ethical guidelines were created to protect the rights of the participants, but they don’t guard against the social impact the research can have
psychologists have limited control over how their findings are represented in the media, and how they can impact social policy
socially sensitive research
are studies/theories that could lead to ethical implications and consequences to the research participants or the group they represent
unlikely socially sensitive areas - memory
very socially sensitive - research into race
the way findings are used
need to consider in advance how findings may be used, especially if they give scientific credence to prejudice
example of a study
milgrams
ethical issues: deception, no informed consent as they didn’t know the full aims
benefits did outweigh the cosst as ppts didnt suffer long term ahrm and were glad they took part
is socially sensitive as it cna be used to get people to do something tey may not want to do
example of theory
Bowlby’s theory of attachment - critical period and internal working model
shows women as the primary care giver = they cant have a career as it can damage their childs development
is socially sensitive - tells women they need to stay at home
affects nursery workers - they ‘need’ to be female to allow for attachment if they mum decides to work
one strenght of SSR is benefits for the group studied
The DSM 1 listed homosexuality as a sociopathic personality disorder but finally removed it in 1973 as a result of the Kinsey report
anonymous interviews with men about hteir sexual behaviour concluded that homosexuality is a normal variant of human sexual behaviour
this illustartes the importance of researchers tackling topics that are sensitive
one limitation is that poor reseraach design may have a long-term impact
for example, Burt’s research on IQ showed its genetic, fixed and apparent by age 11. led to 11+ exam which meant not all children had the same eductaional opportuities
research later shown to be based on invented evidence, but the system didn’t change
so any SSR needs to be planned with the greatest care to ensure the findings are valid because of the efefcts on groups and people
a strenght is that its important that reserachers dont stay away from SSR
important because such research may have major positive impacts, such as challenging stereotypes or ‘scientific justifications’ for discrimination.
For example, Scarr argues
that only by studying these areas will the general public and scientific community develop a greater understanding for these underrepresented groups.
