ethical implications incl social sensitivity

Question 1

ethical implications

Answer 1

-consider impact or consequences that psychiological research has on rights of other ppl in a wider context not just the ppts taking part in research
-research studies: milgram 1963
-theories: bowlby theory of attachment

Question 2

Sieber and Stanley 4 considerations in research process where ethical issues w social consequnces may occur

Answer 2

1. research question:question may cause harm to particular societial groups like race or sexual orientations bc it may reinforce prejudices

2. methodology/treatment of ppts:main concern is confidentiality of info thats collected from studies eg if ppt confess to a crime should confidentiality be maintained? also anoymity
3. institutional context:research may be funded private or commerical organisations that may misuse data in way that makes outcome look more favourable for their products/drugs. so mindful how data will be used. the media may obtain reports of such research n misrepresent findings
4. Interpretation and application of findings:findings may be misused for othe rpurposes than intended. good eg is development of iq tests which was subsequently used to demonstarte certain race groups were inferior. other research lead to castration of indivuals w/in society in usa

Question 3

Sieber and Stanley

1. research question:

Answer 3

question may cause harm to particular societial groups like race or sexual orientations bc it may reinforce prejudices

Question 4

Sieber and Stanley

2. methodology/treatment of ppts:

Answer 4

main concern is confidentiality of info thats collected from studies eg if ppt confess to a crime should confidentiality be maintained? also anoymity

Question 5

Sieber and Stanley

3. institutional context:

Answer 5

*research may be funded private or commerical organisations that may misuse data in way that makes outcome look more favourable for their products/drugs. so mindful how data will be used. the media may obtain reports of such research n misrepresent findings

Question 6

Sieber and Stanley

4. Interpretation and application of findings:

Answer 6

indings may be misused for othe rpurposes than intended. good eg is development of iq tests which was subsequently used to demonstarte certain race groups were inferior. other research lead to castration of indivuals w/in society in usa

Question 7

social sensitivity

Answer 7

-refers to any psychological research that may have wider ethical implication n impact outside of research context itself
-might affect ppl/groups w/in society which could incl any of the following:
* ppts or relatives of ppts
* the researcher/institution
* groups impacted by nature of it incl subcultures/groups such as those w certain religous beliefs/ethniticities/sex preference

Question 8

Siebar and Stanley identified 10 types of ethical issues that relates specifically to socially sensitive research:

Answer 8

1. privacy
2. confidentiality
3. valid methodology
4. deception
5. informed consent
6. equitable treatment
7. scientific freedom
8. owndership of data
9. values
10. risk/benefit ratio

Question 9

ao3

ethical implications associated w controvesial topics help

Answer 9

• Sandra scarr (1988) argues that studies w underrepresented groups/ issues can help promote a greater sensitivity + understanding.
• also argued this can help reduce prejudice+encourage acceptance
• also socially sensistive research has benefited society
• eg research into unreliability of eyewitness testimony as conducted by elixabeth lotus has reduced risk of miscarriage of justice w/in legal system
• demonstrates how SS research may benefit society

Question 10

ao3

hard to know what effects research will have on ppl

Answer 10

• so makes it hard to predict possible ramifications of research
• the decision to undertake the research isnt an objective decision so theres potential bias from decision makers which means socially sensitive research amy still cause problems from time to time
• also yesica guidelines set for research permission viewed by some as too strict
• there r areas of research which could elicit helpful findings+benefit ppl significantly but, research cannot be conducted due to process causing issues for ppts/society/researcher

Question 11

social sensitivity example

bowlby

Answer 11

-bowlbys theory of attachment
-although it helped w child care practices it encouraged women to stay at home w/kids so feel guilty for wanting to return to work

Question 12

ethical implication example
cybil burt

Answer 12

-1955
-used studies of identical twins to support his view that intelligence is largely genetic
-his view greatly influenced the hadow report (1926) which led to creation of 11+ exam used from 1944-76 which determines what secondary school a child goes to
-discrepancies in his data later revealed much of it was fake including 2 imaginary research assistants + he was publicly discredited (joynson 1989)
-BUT the 11+ n idea kids should be seperated on basis of their ‘natural’ intelligence remained for many years+still lingers
-so some indivuals=disadvantaged if didnt pass by education they recieved
-used to justify existing prejudice n influence public policy of seperating ppl according to iq

Question 13

ao3

real world application

Answer 13

• certain groups (eg policiy makers) rely on research related to ss issues
• gov looks to research whne developing important social policies, eg decisions related to child care, education, mental health provision, crime+so on.
• its clearly preferable to base such policies on scientific research rather than policitically motivated views
• -for this reason in uk theres independent groups such as ONS who describe themselves as being responsible for collecting, analysing + disseminating objective stats about uks economy, society+population
• -such data is used in psychological research
• so psychs have key role to play in providing high quality research on ss topics