Ethical Implications of research studies

Question 1

Outline ethical implications (2 marks)

Answer 1

Ethical issues protect the individual participants in a study but do not consider the effects of the findings on society. Psychologist should consider socially sensitive areas – “studies where there are potential social consequences or implications for the participants in the research or the class of people being studied in the research”

Question 2

Outline ethical implications of research (6 marks)

Answer 2

Psychological research can have ethical implications in which there could be a direct impact upon the participants or the group the participants represent if the research is published. This research would be described as socially sensitive because there are possible social consequences for the class of people represented by the research. One of these implications could be how valid the findings of the research are, for example, research may be presented as objective when it has used fraudulent methods or has been influenced significantly by researcher bias. This can have further implications if the research then goes on to influence policies and legislation within society. In addition, when published, research findings can result in other ethical implications such as potential bias or labelling against certain vulnerable groups or cultures.

Question 3

Discuss ethical implications of research (4 X AO3)

Answer 3

For example, Bowlby’s research on maternal deprivation argued that separation from the mother can lead to a range of psychological and social problems – including affectionless psychopathy. This had negative ethical implications because it influenced social policy. Mothers were encouraged to stay at home and look after children. This is because the theory of maternal deprivation blames the mother for the negative consequences, which can have negative implications for women by making them feel inadequate, guilty and pressured to fulfil the maternal role. As well as also making the father feel as though their role is less important.

Whilst this socially sensitive research is controversial if it was based on appropriate conclusions it could be seen as beneficial, however the validity of Bowlby’s research has been criticised because much of the early research has been contradicted and Bowlby has been accused of biased reporting to support his own theory. Therefore, showing the risks of poorly controlled research on controversial topics and the ethical implications for society.

For example, research findings that schizophrenia is due to family dysfunction has ethical implications for the families of those who have a child with schizophrenia as people may label the family as the cause of the child’s schizophrenia. This is because the explanation states that Schizophrenia (Sz) is due to faulty communication patterns in families such as high levels of expressed emotion causing relapse. This is problematic as the parents of the child are having to take care of their child with Sz already and may experience feelings of guilt and blame for causing the condition. Therefore, family dysfunction explanation of sz may not be an appropriate explanation. 

Although, despite the ethical implications, research into family dysfunction as an explanation of schizophrenia has led to practical applications. For example, the theory of high expressed emotion causing relapse has led to the treatment of family therapy which aims to reduce levels of expressed emotion and has been effective in preventing relapse. This suggests, the benefits of conducting socially sensitive research outweigh the costs despite the ethical implications.