Ethical Implications AO1&AO3

Question 1

Define Ethical Implications

Answer 1

The impact psychological research may have in terms of the rights of other people, included at a societal level - influencing public policy

Question 2

When can Ethical issues occur?

Answer 2

When there is conflict between psychology’s need to find valid and valuable findings whilst preserving ppts rights

Question 3

Even with guidelines, what is difficult to guard?

Answer 3

the researches social impact - perceptions on particular groups in society can be influenced

Question 4

Define Social Sensitivity

Answer 4

Studies in which there are potential consequences/implications either directly for the ppts or for the individuals represented by the research

Question 5

Who established the term ‘social sensitivity’?

Answer 5

Sieber and Stanley, 1988

Question 6

What did Aronson (1999) say about socially sensitive topics?

Answer 6

That psychologists have a responsibility to carry out research into socially sensitive topics

Question 7

What research gains attention from psychologists and the media?

Answer 7

Research into ‘taboo’ topics like race and sexuality

Question 8

What are the 3 ethical issues in socially sensitive research? Explain them briefly.

Answer 8

1) Implications - wider effect carefully considered in order to avoid giving scientific credibility to prejudice and discrimination. BUT can be hard to predict from the outset.
2) Uses/Public Policy - May be used by the gov for political purposes/to shape public policy.
3) Validity of Research - Modern Social Constructionists researchers have to be upfront about their biases and preconceptions, they have to include comments on the impulse nature of their work in their own publications

Question 9

Why is research into socially sensitive research beneficial? Who argued this?

AO3

Answer 9

Scarr (1988)
it can help reduce prejudice and encourage acceptance
Benefited society eg research into EWT reduced the amount of misjustice in the legal system.

So valuable role, increases practical application & external validity

Question 10

Who suggested that the way in research questions are framed may influence the interpretation of the findings?

AO3

Answer 10

Sieber and Stanley

Question 11

Give an example on how the phrasing of research questions influenced findings

AO3

Answer 11

EG - research into ‘alternative relationships’ was found guilty of forming a ‘heterosexual bias’ as homosexual relationships were compared and judged against heterosexual norms. - suggests that researchers need to have an open mind and be ready to have their preconceptions challenged in order to avoid misrepresenting minority groups.

Increases validity if steps are taken

Question 12

Further research can seem harmless but it has socially sensitive consequences.

Give an example of when this happened

AO3

Answer 12

1950s research into persuasive effects of subliminal messages was used by marketing companies for advertisement - Packard claimed that sales of CocaCola and popcorn increased when images were flashed up in the cinema too quick for audiences to notice. These findings were made up.

Manipulation of the public has ethical implications, raises the issue of who benefits - increases external validity

Question 13

How does the aspect of social control decrease the credibility of socially sensitive research?

AO3

Answer 13

In America lots of states passed legislation for the compulsory sterilisation of ‘feeble’ people e.g. the mentally ill, drug addicts. This was supported by the psychological community as they claimed that the feeble minded were unfit to breed.

The use of socially sensitive research for discriminatory practices has been an argument against its widespread adoption so decreases validity