Ethical Implications of research and social sensitivity Flashcards
Social sensitivity
Sieber and Stanley define socially sensitive research as research that could lead to a negative consequence for either the people or the institutions participating directly in the research, or the group of people the research is about
Some research is more socially sensitive (studying depression) but even seemingly innocuous research (e.g long term memory in a student population) may have consequences (e.g exam policy)
Ethical implications
The consequence of any research in terms of the effects on the individual participants or on the way in which certain groups of people are subsequently regarded
There may also be consequences on a wider societal level
Three things researcher should consider before conducting research
(explain each one)
Implications - consider the impact or consequences that psychological research has on the rights of other people in a wider context, not just the participants taking part in the research . Could its interpretation lead to discrimination?
Use of research/public policy - what is the research used for, what would happen if it was used for the wrong purpose. Will the results be used in public policy to justify laws that harm the people studied/wider society
Validity of the research - how well the results among the study participants represent true findings among similar individuals outside the study
EVALUATION: socially sensitive research example
Burt and Bowlby 11+
Burt’s research on IQ showed it is genetic, fixed and apparent by age 11. Led to the 11+ exam which meant that not all children had the same educational opportunities.
Research later shown to be based on invented evidence but the system didn’t change and continues in parts of the UK today e.g Kent and Belfast
Therefore any SSr needs to be planned with the greatest care to ensure the findings are valid because of the enduring effects on particular groups of people. Meaning it is flawed as it is used to dictate social policy, putting certain groups at a disadvantage
Dealing with ethical issues
Briefing and debriefing - the participants/guardians should be told as much as possible about the study before, the full aims after. If stressful offered counselling
Publication - care should be taken to maintain confidentiality when publishing results
Accepting ethical issues
Ethical committee - final decision as to carry out ethically questionable research or not by the researcher, but there is a panel who judge the value of the research
Cost benefit analysis - judging the potential costs and benefits to society of the research
BPS guidlines
BPS provides code of conduct and ethics that gives a range of guidance for psychologists, focuses on respect: for privacy confidentiality and wellbeing of participants and communities
EVALUATION: policymakers - strength
Government needs research when developing social policy related to childcare, mental health provision, education, crime e.t.c. It is better to base such policies on scientific research rather than politically motivated views
e.g the ONS are responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating objective stas about the UK’s economy, society and population
This means that psychologists also have an important role to play in providing high quality research on socially sensitive topics
EVALUATION: costs and benefits - criticism
One disadvantage is that it could be challenging to predict costs and benefits.
An ethics committee examines research that has implications for ethics or is socially sensitive; their responsibility is to balance the research’s advantages and disadvantages.
Nonetheless, it could be challenging to predict certain societal consequences of studies with vulnerable populations. Assessments of the research’s “worth” are usually subjective, and the true significance of the findings is only known after they have beenpublished
EVALUATION: social control - criticism
Socially sensitive research has a disadvantage in that it could be applied to social control.
Many US states passed laws in the 1920s and 1930s that required the sterilisation of a huge percentage of the people.These people (such as those with “low intelligence” and drug/alcohol abusers) were viewed as “feeble-minded” and a burden on society.
In the words of some psychologists, they were ‘unfit to breed’. The historical exploitation of socially sensitive research to ‘prop up’ discriminatory practises serves as a counterargument to its widespread acceptance.
