ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS / SOCIAL SENSITIVITY

Question 1

Discuss ethical implications of research studies/theory, including reference to social sensitivity

Answer 1

• Ethical implications consider the impact that psychological research can have on the rights of other
  people in a wider context.
• Ethical implications can occur at every stage of the research process, not only at the moment of actually conducting the research procedure

Question 2

Sieber and Stanley

Answer 2

• outlined four aspects of the research process that raise ethical implications, especially in socially sensitive research.
• Firstly, the research question should not add to any prevailing prejudice or stereotype, for example, the belief held by some that intelligence is inherited.
• Secondly, the information obtained should be treated with confidentiality, before, during and after the research process.
• Thirdly, if the government or an institution is funding the research, the researcher should ensure that the data is not misused in any way.
• Finally, the research should ensure that the interpretation of the data or findings has no impact on the participants involved or the group of people that those participants represent.
• They suggested if research follows these considerations then the research is less likely to have any social consequences on the participants involved or the group of people that those participants represent

Question 3

A problem with conducting socially sensitive research can lead to issues of discrimination and therefore some psychologists would argue against conducting this form of research.

Answer 3

• For example, research
  examining racial differences in IQ has been used to justify new forms of social control.
• For example in the US under eugenic legislation over 64000 women were forcibly sterilised. And, in 1972 it was found over 2000 sterilisations had been performed on poor black women without their consent or knowledge.
• This was justified by using flawed research findings by Yerkes which argued that black Americans had lower IQ scores than to white Americans.
• This is a disadvantage as it shows a serious issue with conducting socially sensitive research which is why psychologists should just steer clear of it

Question 4

However, psychologists would argue that avoiding conducting research on socially sensitive topics such as race/gender would leave psychologists with nothing but trivial questions to investigate.

Answer 4

• A better alternative to not conducting such research would be for researchers to engage more actively with policy makers after the publication of their findings.
• This can help to reduce the likelihood that data is misused or misinterpreted and will ensure that evidence based data is used in a more socially sensitive way, reducing the negative ethical implication of psychological research

Question 5

Not all socially sensitive research is controversial.

Answer 5

• Some are in fact desirable and beneficial to society.
• For example, research examining eyewitness testimony, especially the use of child witnesses (Flin et al) has found that children can be reliable witnesses if they are questioned in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Additionally, research into false memories and enhancing recall via the use of cognitive interviews can help reduce the number of false convictions.
• This is an advantage as socially sensitive research has helped improve the accuracy and validity of EWT’s. And has provided useful real life applications and can help increase the number of correct conviction