Ethical Implications of Psychological Research Flashcards
Define ‘ethical implications’.
Research that has the potential to have detrimental consequences for both the participants in the study and those in wider society.
Define ‘socially sensitive’.
Research and findings that may influence substantial societal change. For instance studies into the memory ability of students may lead to changes in exam policy.
Give an example of socially sensitive research.
E.g. Bowlby’s theory of attachment - may result in mothers staying at home during the ‘critical period’.
Fisher’s cognitive interview - males identifying criminal suspects more effective (61% more accurate - Kohnken at al.).
Name the 4 considerations to be accounted for when conducting socially sensitive research.
Seiber and Stanley’s considerations:
- Research question - look at whether the findings may be harmful for a particular demographic e.g. “Are there racial differences in IQ?”
- Methodology - must protect the participant’s rights
- Institutional context - must be mindful of how the findings will be used
- Interpretation and application of findings - could findings influence policy? E.g. Hadow report led to the 11+ exam being used
Give an example of socially sensitive research/theories.
Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation - may lead to mother’s staying at home during the critical period to prevent developmental harm.
Give two advantages in the ethical implications/socially sensitive research debate.
Advantages:
- Socially sensitive research benefits the group being studied - e.g. the Kinsey Report (Kinsey et al.) resulted in homosexuality being removed from the DSM-1 - he concluded, after interviews with 5000 men, homosexuality was a normal variant of human sexuality - demonstrates the importance of socially sensitive research.
- Policymakers rely on socially sensitive research - data is required when making policy regarding education, welfare and healthcare - e.g. Vygotsky’s theory has led to reciprocal learning in schools to improve children’s reading abilities - psychologists, as a result, have a hugely important role in providing high quality research.
Give two disadvantages in the ethical implications/socially sensitive research debate in psychology.
- Flawed methodology may have detrimental impacts - e.g. Burt’s research on IQ found it is genetic, fixed and apparent by age 11 - led to the 11+ exam - research later showed this was inaccurate though 11+ is still used in UK today (Kent) - must be planned with care - due to longstanding impact of research.
- It may not be possible to judge what the effects of research will be on society - not an objective decision therefore there is potential for bias - socially sensitive research may still go ahead due to the subjectivity in weighing its implications.
Give the names of three researchers whose studies can be regarded as socially sensitive.
Lowney
Humphreys
Raine
How is Lowney’s study socially sensitive?
She observed teenagers who were Satanists and claimed that they were Satanists as they did not agree with their peers.
Socially sensitive because:
1) There was parental backlash over the young people in the stud.
2) There was peer exclusion as the study was highly critical of high school groups.
How is Humphreys’ study socially sensitive?
Humphreys posed as a gay man to assess social interactions and practices of gays meeting for sex. He recorded their number plates and used this to find out their details.
1) The research was invasive and highly deceptive
2) Not very private
3) However, it was successful in being positive for the gay community.
How is Raine’s study socially sensitive?
Used brain scans to assess their level of impulse control - method of identifying future criminals.
1) He suggested that children should be scanned to identify violent criminals. This would be harmful as it may limit the opportunities of certain people in later life - also merely correlational.
Give three examples of ethical implications of research in psychology.
1) Milgram’s obedience study - led to attitudes towards people of certain cultures - Kilham 16% of Australian pps went to 450V and 85% of Germans did.
2) Vygotsky’s learning through social interaction theory - led to reciprocal learning in classrooms - aiding children with their cognitive development.
3) Bowlby’s monotropic theory and idea of a critical period - had economic implications - mothers feel compelled to stay at home to ensure development - meaning only the father will secure income.
How does ethical implicatons/social sensitivity relate to the genetic influences of aggression?
Deterministic nature of the role of the MAOA gene could mean that an individual could not be seen as culpable in a criminal case - further legal implications include violent crimes not leading to convictions - ultimately socially sensitive.
