Ethical implications of research studies and theory

Question 1

Ethical implications

Answer 1

The impact that psychological research may have in terms of the rights of other people especially participants

This includes, at a societal level, influencing public policy and/or the way in which certain groups of people are regarded

Question 2

Social sensitivity

Answer 2

Sieber and Stanley (1988) define socially sensitive research as, ‘studies in which there are potential consequences or implications, either directly for the participants in the research or for the class of individuals represented by the research’

Question 3

Evaluation + Benefits of socially sensitive research

Answer 3

• Scarr (1988) argues that studies of underrepresented groups and issues may promote a greater sensitivity and understanding of these
• This can help reduce prejudice and encourage acceptance

Question 4

Evaluation - Framing the question

Answer 4

• Sieber and Stanley (1988) warn that the way in which research questions are phrased and investigated may influence the way in which findings are interpreted
• Cross-cultural research may be blighted by cultural superiority and ethnocentrism
• 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

Question 5

Evaluation - Who gains

Answer 5

• Socially sensitive research has been used by the government and other institutions to shape social policy, despite the sometimes dubious nature of its findings (e.g. Burt’s research into IQ) and without full consideration of the moderating effects of the environment on characteristics such as intelligence
• There is other research that may seem harmless but also has socially sensitive consequences
• Research that seeks to manipulate the public has obvious ethical implications
• It also raises the issue of who benefits from such research - which may be particularly difficult to manage once the research is ‘out there’

Question 6

Evaluation - Social control

Answer 6

• Used to ‘prop up’ discriminatory practices in the past is an argument against its widespread adoption

Question 7

Evaluation - Costs and benefits

Answer 7

• Assessments of the ‘worth’ of such research are invariably subjective, and the real impact of research can only ever be known once it has been made public