Ethical implications of research & theory

Question 1

What is the debate in ethical implications?

Answer 1

• the wider implications of psychological research and whether research that may affect ‘vulnerable’ groups is worthwhile

Question 2

Why do ethical issues arise?

Answer 2

• because of the conflict between psychology’s need to gain valid research findings while at the same time preserving the rights of p’s

Question 3

What are ethical implications?

Answer 3

• the consequences of any research (studies/theory) in terms of the effect on individual p’s, the way certain groups of people are regarded, or on a wider societal level

Question 4

What is social sensitivity?

Answer 4

Sieber & Stanley define socially sensitive research as studies in which there are potential consequences or implications, either directly for p’s in research or for the class of individuals represented in the research

Question 5

Give an example of research that has little to no social sensitivity

Answer 5

• research on LTM in a student population unlikely to have consequences for individual p’s or for broader social groups the p’s represent
• unlikely to be consequences for social policy

Question 6

Give an example of research that may have greater social sensitivity

Answer 6

• research on depression
• individual p’s = may reveal personal info that is later accessed by a prospective employer
• group= findings of study may suggest that all depressed people never fully recover > risk as an employee
• wider society= in terms of social policy, findings of a study on depression could inform preferred treatment options recommended by the NHS

Question 7

What 3 things do researchers have to consider during the research process when planning or conducting studies?

Answer 7

• research question
• dealing with participants
• the way findings are used

Question 8

What do Sieber & Stanley warn about research questions? give example

Answer 8

• warn that the way in which research questions are phrased & investigated may influence the way in which findings are interpreted.
• e.g. Kitzinger & Coyle note how research into relationships has been guilty of ‘heterosexual bias’ > where homosexual relationships are compared & judged against heterosexual norms

Question 9

What ethical issues are important in socially sensitive research when dealing with p’s?

Answer 9

• informed consent, confidentiality, psychological harm
• e.g. in a study of DV, p’s may worry that their ex partner will find about about the study & also likely to be stressful to recall experiences

Question 10

Why do researchers need to consider in advance the way their findings are used?

Answer 10

• may impact the data they actually collect
• important > findings from research may be seen as giving scientific credibility to existing prejudices (e.g. ethnic basis of intelligence)
• sensitive information is exactly what the media tend to be interested in & will publicise
• e.g. Owens research on people in a minimally conscious state received media attention at time

Question 11

What is a strength of socially sensitive research?

Answer 11

• can have benefits for the groups who have been studied
  e.g. homosexuality
• 1952 DSM-1 listed this as a ‘sociopathic personality disorder’ > removed in 1973
• change credited to the Kinsey report, based on interviews with over 5000 men about their sexual behaviour
• report concluded that homosexuality is a typical expression of human sexual behaviour
• illustrates importance of researchers tackling topics that are sensitive

Question 12

What is counterpoint to the strength of sensitive research being beneficial for groups?

Answer 12

• may be negative consequences for groups being studied> in some cases could have been anticipated
• e.g. research investigating the genetic basis of criminality has found that there is a ‘criminal gene’
• if this is true it poses questions of whether someone should still be convicted or should they be excused because they cannot be held responsible
• this means when researching socially sensitive topics there should be careful considerations of the possible outcomes & their consequences

Question 13

What is a limitation of socially sensitive research?

Answer 13

• poor research design may lead to erroneous findings > once in the public arena continue to have an impact
• E.g. Burt’s research, even after his fraud (intelligence highly heritable) was exposed > 11+ still continued & is used as a selection tool in parts of the UK today
• access to many independent schools is based on child’s performance in entrance exam taken in year 6 - based on same reasoning that genetic potential has revealed itself by this age
• socially sensitive research needs to be planned with great care to ensure findings are valid

Question 14

What is another strength of socially sensitive research?

Answer 14

• may be tackled
• Sieber & Stanley argue that one possible way is to follow qualitative researchers who are more upfront about their own biases and are reflexive in their approach (i.e. reflect on how personal beliefs affect the research process).
• This approach does not necessarily mitigate the impact on particular groups once the research enters the public domain
• However, it does make it clear that the researcher’s interpretation is just one possible interpretation of many rather than the ultimate truth
• suggests that socially sensitive topics can be researched ethically but researchers should be explicit about their own theoretical position so the audience can judge whether the interpretation is valid