Ethical implications of research studies and theory, including reference to social sensitivity. (Issues in Psychology) Flashcards
Ethical issues arise when there is a conflict between:
—> ethical guidelines
Psychology’s need to gain valid and valuable research findings
At the same time as protecting the rights and dignity of participants
Thus ethical guidelines were established to help those involved in psychology.
Wider ethical implications:
Although ough researchers are able to control variables in their studies and can control the ethical issues listed above, they may have little say over how research findings are represented in the media, the impact of these on social policy and how we view others. This amounts to a concern with the wider ethical implications of research.
What is socially sensitive research?
e.g
criminal behaviour
schizophrenia
Socially sensitive research is defined 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.
For example,
Research into whether there are genetic influences in criminal behaviour could have important consequences. For example, it could be used as a defence against being convicted of a crime or to stigmatise people who have relevant genes even if they haven’t shown any antisocial behaviour.
Also there is the possibility of compulsory genetic testing to identify people with a particular gene. Such screening could identify genes related to psychological disorders such as schizophrenia. Although this may be potentially helpful it could also lead to anxiety and social stigma, especially for people who have a genetic vulnerability for a disorder but do not develop it.
Ethical issues in socially sensitive research
There are a number of concerns that researchers should be mindful of when conducting socially sensitive research:
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1) The implications for the groups of people the results represent - the wider effect should be carefully considered as some studies may be seen as giving ‘scientific credence’ to prejudice and discrimination.
2) Questions such as ‘what is the research to be used for?’ and what would happen if it was used for the wrong purpose?’ need to be asked as findings may be adopted by Governments for political ends or to shape public policy.
3) Potential issues with the validity of the research-some findings presented as valid in the past have since turned out to be highly suspect and in some cases fraudulent.
The implications of socially sensitive research
Bowlby’s maternal deprivation hypothesis
Positive consequence on society
Negative consequence on society
Why is the research classed as socially sensitive?
(In what ways might they harm the immediate participants and/or had negative consequences for the group they represent?)
The idea that a child needs a continuous relationship with a mother figure in the first five years of life in order to develop normally. Disruption to this bond through separation can have a negative effect on later social, emotional and intellectual development
+: changed children homes and hospitals
-: economic implications ….less money spent
Mums feel guilty going work
The implications of socially sensitive research
Milgram’s study of obedience
Positive consequence on society
Negative consequence on society
Why is the research classed as socially sensitive?
(In what ways might they harm the immediate participants and/or had negative consequences for the group they represent?)
Research found that under certain circumstances people will obey orders to cause someone else harm if
instructed to by an authority figure
+: Enabled us to understand destructive obedience (Holocaust)
-: excuse people’s behaviour
-leads to list of trust in people if authority
Group of people stressed deceived
The implications of socially sensitive research
Rosenhan’s ‘sane in insane places’ study
Positive consequence on society
Negative consequence on society
Why is the research classed as socially sensitive?
(In what ways might they harm the immediate participants and/or had negative consequences for the group they represent?)
Research that found that a group of normal people who acted like they were mentally ill were admitted to psychiatric institutions and were kept there from s despite acting normally as soon as they were admitted.
+: updated manuals DSM
-: people mistrust psychiatrists - going backward
People wrongly admitted when healthy
EVALUATION of socially sensitive research
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Benefits of socially sensitive research
(EWT - more accurate (leading qs)
Framing the question
Alt relationship - heterosexual bias
Researchers open mind and prepared for resistance
Who gains?
Social control
Costs and benefits
EVALUATION of socially sensitive research
Benefits of socially sensitive research
Despite the ethical implications associated with socially sensitive research, some have argued that studies of underrepresented groups may promote a greater social sensitivity and understanding of these. This can help reduce prejudice and encourage acceptance
Similarly socially sensitive research has benefitted society-for example, research into eyewitness testimony has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice in the legal system.
Thus it is important to carry out socially sensitive research for the wider benefit of society.
EVALUATION of socially sensitive research
Framing the question
The way the research question is framed could influence the way in which findings are interpreted.
For example, research into ‘alternative relationships’ has been guilty of a form of heterosexual bias’ within which homosexual relationships were compared and judged against heterosexual norms-a type of ethnocentrism.
This suggests that researchers must approach their research with an open mind’ and be prepared to have their preconceptions challenged if they are to avoid misinterpreting minority groups.
EVALUATION of socially sensitive research
Who gains?
Socially sensitive research has been used by the government to shape social policy, despite the dubious nature of its findings (see Burt’s research)
and without a full consideration of the moderating effects of the environment on characteristics such as intelligence.
Research that has an impact on the general public has obvious ethical implications. It also raises the question of who benefits from such research? - which may be particularly difficult to manage once the research is ‘out there’.
EVALUATION of socially sensitive research
Social control
In the 1920’s IQ tests were given to immigrants as they arrived in the US. As a result of the tests a large number of them were identified as ‘low intelligence’ and were sterilised on the grounds they were ‘feeble minded’ and a drain on society. (Many of the tests required an understanding of English!)
This research supported many sections of the scientific community that “feeble minded’ people are unfit to breed.
The fact that socially sensitive research has been used in the past to ‘prop up’ discriminatory practice is an argument against its use.
EVALUATION of socially sensitive research
Costs and benefits
Research that carried with it possible ethical issues or is socially sensitive may be subject to scrutiny by an ethics committee. It is their job to weight the possible benefits of the research.
However, we have already seen how some of the social consequences of research involving vulnerable groups may be difficult to anticipate.
As such, judgements of ‘worth’ of such research are subjective, and the real impact of research can only ever be known once it has been made public.
