Ethical Implications of Research Flashcards
When do ethical issues arise in Psychology?
Ethical issues may arise when there is a conflict between a psychologist’s need to gain valid and valuable research findings whilst at the same time, preserving the rights and dignity of ppts. Thus, ethical guidlines were established to help portect those involved in research.
Although researchers may have a high level of control over the methods they select and the way they treat ppts- they have little control in terms of how their research findings are represented / misrepresented in the media OR how their work may influence our perception of particular groups within society.
Description of Socially sensitive research:
- Socially sensitive research: any research / theory which may be contreversial as it has ethical ramifications that go beyond the research situations. This may specifically affect particular groups in wider society leading to their mistreatment.
- E.g. the genetic basis of criminality can have serious beyond-research consequences, compared to studying LTM.
- However, psychologists argue that they should not ‘shy away’ from SSR - have a social responsibility to carry it out.
Example of a SSR (Milgram)
- Milgram used a group pressure technique to compare conformity in Norwegians and French nationals.
- Found higher level of conformity in Norwegians in all cases
- This led people to think French people are more independant and Norwegians are more dependant on others to make decisions
- Such stereotypes have contributed to the negative view of people from certain groups
Example of a SSR (Bowlby)
- Despite the theory being based on animal research, the theory had significant impact on culture for working women in the 1950s.
- The theory claimed that the future of the child’s mental development depends on the mother’s efforts.
- Created strong emotional demand on mothers - espeically those dedicated to their career to prioritise home life vs career (Vicedo)
- Esp after WWII - women were often the sole earner (due to loss of husband in war), this placed huge pressure on them to be good mothers and led to social ramifications.
Ethical implications of research:
Sieber and Stanley identified a number of concerns that research should be mindful of when conducting socially sensitive research:
- Implications for wider public
- Impact on ppts
- Potential use to design public policy
WHO identified a number of concerns that research should be mindful of when conducting socially sensitive research:
Sieber and Stanley
Implications for wider public:
- wider effects of research should be considered - especially if ‘scientific justification for discrimination’ - e.g. research into the racial basis of intelligence
Impact on ppts:
researchers need to be wary about long term effects for ppts. E.g. researchers need to protect ppts from harm, ensure confidentiality and give them the right to withdraw.
Potential use to design public policy:
Findings shouldn’t be adopted by political parties for their benefit. Also - research could be unfairly used as a basis for making laws which can marginalize a group in society.
An implication of SSR is that it can have benefits.
Scar argues that the study of unrepresented groups / issues promotes greater understanding of them and sensitivity towards these. In term, this helps us reduce prejudice towards the groups, and encourage acceptance.
E.g. of SSR: Raine et al found that teens with less grey matter in their pre-frontal cortex were more susceptible to suffer from APD. While in the short term, this led to stigma about children / young adults with less grey matter potentially growing up to be offenders, in the long term it led to early identification of APD and the use of early teatments like Social Skills Development to help improve the trait
What did Raine et al find?
that teens with less grey matter in their pre-frontal cortex were more susceptible to suffer from APD.
Our understanding of the consequences of SSR has led to practical applications in how research findings are published.
In order to reduce the likelihood of misuse of data, psychologists must take responsibility for what happens to their findings. The British Psychological Society has a press centre which aims to provide evidence based on psychological research to the media in a way that prevents misuse. Thus reducing the likelihood that the results lead to the abuse of a group and being used as ‘scientific justification’ for discrimination and prejudice.
We now understand that to reduce misuse of research, as a community, psychology needs to take responsibility for what happens to our findings.
Understanding of implications has allowed us better ways to deal with SSR. Researchers claim we need to take action on two levels.
Researchers need to have a true awareness of the issue. Researchers should estimate the consequences that releasing their SSRs can have on ppt groups. E.g. assess how much risk there is that the research could make a group seem lesser / different to others - leadidng to victimisation /unfair treatment.
Researchers must also practically deal with the issue. If possible, researchers should consult with ppts and make them awar of possible consequences of the research. They must also aim to avoid bias and exaggeration in the scientific reporting. Researchers should word SSR in a non-emotive, informative and a non-leading way.
Also, other ways of dealing with issue: PCWID ethics, e.g. confidentiality
Understanding implications of SSr has led to more effective ways of dealing with the consequences of SSR.
What are the two levels researchers claim we need to take action on:
- Researchers need to have a true awareness of the issue
- Researchers must also practically deal with the issue
Researchers need to have a true awareness of the issue:
Researchers should estimate the consequences that releasing their SSRs can have on ppt groups. E.g. assess how much risk there is that the research could make a group seem lesser / different to others - leadidng to victimisation /unfair treatment.
