Ethical implications in research Flashcards
‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ is a
quote associated with….?
Gestalt psychologists
What are Ethical implications?
It is the impact that psychological research may have in terms of the rights of other people, especially participants.
This includes the influence that research has on public policy or the
way in which certain groups are represented.
What is Social sensitivity
Sieber & Stanley (1988) define socially sensitive
research as studies that are implications directly for the participants
or the people that the participants represent.
When do ethical
issues occur
When the ethical guidelines are broken during an experiment.
When do ethical implications apply
problems that occur within society once the research has been completed (but these can be foreseen and avoided).
Sieber & Stanley (1988) have identified a number of concerns that
researchers should be mindful of when conducting socially
sensitive research, what are they?
Implications – the wider effects of such research should be
carefully considered as some studies may be seen as giving
scientific credibility to prejudice and discrimination (studies
examining racial basis of intelligence).
Uses/public policy – what is the research likely to be used for?
What would happen if it was used for the wrong purpose? This is
related to the idea that findings may be adopted by the government
for political ends or to shape public policy.
The validity of the research – some findings that were presented
as objective and value-free in the past have actually turned out to be
highly suspect, even fraudulent.
Example of fraudulent research
Cyril Burt was influential in establishing the 11+ examination in the
UK – used to determine whether children had a secondary modern
education or went on to study at a grammar school.
Burt’s view were based on the evidence he produced that
intelligence was genetic, citing studies of twins that showed a high
heritability coefficient.
Discrepancies in his ‘data’ later revealed that Burt had made much
of it up, as well as inventing two research assistants – he was
publically discredited.
The 11+ and the idea that children should be separated on the basis
of their ‘natural’ intelligence remained for a good few years, the
effects of this still linger!
Example of research informing policy
Child development psychologist John Bowlby became an advisor
for the WHO in the early 1950’s based on his ground-breaking
research into attachment.
Bowlby’s argument about the importance of a mother’s love during
infancy influenced the government decision not to offer free child
care places to children under five (despite the fact that this is typical
in other European countries).
Could have also had an indirect effect on the legal ‘norm’ that
mothers are granted custody of children in divorce/separation cases
(previously, it was regularly given to fathers).
What is a strength of social sensitivity
A strength is that despite the ethical issues associated with
research into controversial and ‘taboo’ topics, it can be
beneficial.
E: Socially sensitive research has benefitted society. For
instance, research into the (un)reliability of eye witness
testimony has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice within
the legal system.
C: This suggests that socially sensitive research may play a
valuable role in society.
What is a weakness of social sensitivity
P: However, a limitation is that the way in which research
questions are phrased and investigated may influence the way
in which findings are interpreted.
E: Researchers Kitzinger & Coyle (1995) note how research into
so-called ‘alternative relationships’ has been guilty of a form of
‘heterosexual bias’ within which homosexual relationships were
compared and judged against heterosexual norms.
C: This suggests that investigators must approach their
research with an ‘open mind’ and be prepared to have their
preconceptions challenged if they are to avoid misrepresenting
minority groups.
