Ethical implications of research studies and theory

Question 1

What is socially sensitive research?

Answer 1

Any research that might have direct social consequences for the participants in the research or the group that they represent.

Question 2

What is meant by the ethical implications of psychological research?

Answer 2

It concerns the way that research impacts on those who take part, on the way the findings are communicated to the public and how the findings are used.

Question 3

What are the three concerns that researchers should be mindful of when conducting socially sensitive research?

Answer 3

1. Implications- the wider effects of research
2. Uses/public policy- what will this research be used for? And what will happen if it is used in the wrong way?
3. The validity of the research- are the findings correct?

Question 4

Explain a psychological theory which could be socially sensitive

Answer 4

Bowlby’s theory of attachment- emphasised role of mother in development of child leading to encouragement of view that women should stay at home

Question 5

State a research study which has had ethical implications

Answer 5

Milgram’s study of obedience/Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment

Question 6

What is a strength of socially sensitive research?

Answer 6

Been used to shape social policy:
Some psychologists, argue that we should avoid carrying out socially sensitive research altogether. However, this would leave psychologists with nothing to examine other than unimportant issues. The findings of socially sensitive research has been used by the government and other institutions to shape social policy.
E.g. Research into the unreliability of eyewitness testimony has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice within the legal system, suggesting that socially sensitive research may play a valuable role in society.

Question 7

What are the three limitations of socially sensitive research?

Answer 7

Inadequacy of current ethical guidelines:
Research may still inflict harm on a group of people in society.
Psychologists have developed strict ethical guidelines that aim to protect the immediate needs of research participants, but they may not deal with all the possible ways in which research may inflict harm on a group of people or section of society.
E.g. Currently ethical guidelines don’t ask researchers to consider how their research might be used by others.

May disadvantage marginalised groups:
Our understanding of human behaviour has been lessened by our misrepresentations of people with disabilities, the elderly, the disadvantaged and members of minority cultures. This leads to these groups missing out on any of the potential benefits of research.
The misrepresentation of such groups in psychological research means our understanding of human behaviour has been restricted.
COUNTER-ARGUMENT: Sandra Scarr (1988)- argues that studies of underrepresented groups and issues may promote greater sensitivity and understanding of these. This can help to reduce prejudice and encourage acceptance.

Social control:
Research into intelligence by the psychological community in the 1920s and 30s led to a large number of US states enacting legislation that led to the compulsory sterilisation of many citizens (low intelligence, drug or alcohol addicts, mentally ill) on the grounds that they were ‘feeble-minded’ and a drain on society.
Psychological research had supported this rationale, arguing that such feeble-minded people were ‘unfit’ to breed.