ethical issues controversy

Question 1

4 topics ?

Answer 1

1. use of ethical guidelines
2. benefits to society
3. individual participants
4. potentially negative consequences for society

Question 2

1 - what are psychologists bonded by ?

Answer 2

guidelines of the BPS code of ethics and conduct

Question 3

1 - advantages of guidelines ?

Answer 3

1. tells psychologists what is and isn’t ethically acceptable and guidance on how to deal with ethical issues
2. updated frequently to make sure they match cultural expectations (pronouns)
3. protects researchers for any potential legal action or backlash (milgram + SPE)
4. ensures PT welfare us at the forefront of the researchers mind (Myers and diener)
5. ethics committee prevents PT from psychological harm (L+P car)
6. maintains the integrity of psych is PT are protected research is more credited, scientific and accepted (L+P)

Question 4

1 - disadvantages of guidelines ?

Answer 4

1. not laws simply just guidelines, not always clear could be subjective (SPE)
2. could be used to deny accountability of research “followed guidelines” (W+R debrief)
3. subjective depending on country (milgram)
4. if guidelines would’ve been in place in the past the most influential research wouldn’t go ahead today (Bowlby)

Question 5

1- what is psychology research ethics committee ? (PREC)

Answer 5

made up by a range of people who considers research proposals and make 1-3 decisions
1. research can continue
2. research can continue with ethical amendments
3. research cannot take place

Question 6

2- what is the double obligation dilemma ?

Answer 6

psychologists have an obligation to two sets of people
1. ensure psychologists have an obligation to the PT and doesn’t come to harm during the study
2. psychologists have an obligation to seek and share knowledge that will better the human race

Question 7

2- aronson suggests ?

Answer 7

“social psychologists are obliged to use their research skills to advance our knowledge of human behaviour for the aim of human betterment” therefore some argue ethical guidelines are too rigid, can be justified as a result of the benefits they bring to individuals in society

Question 8

2 - advantages of milgrams study?

Answer 8

1. revealed that majority of PT would obey authority figures even to the extent of harming other people. challenging assumptions about human nature and showed how situational factors could lead people to commit unethical acts
2. helped understand historical events such as nazi germany, understanding war crimes, obedience and authority

Question 9

advantages of W + R study ?

Answer 9

1. provided evidence of classical conditioning and helped further understanding as well as the development of phobia treatments such as SD
2. developed the idea that behaviour is a result of learnt responses to environmental stimuli

Question 10

advantages of bowlby study?

Answer 10

• emphasises the importance of early attachment between child and primary caregiver, encouraging a more nurturing approach to children and importance of parental involvement in early stages
• maternity leave

Question 11

3 - gross suggested ?

Answer 11

the cost of psychological/physical trauma, confidentiality breaking, use of deception and lack of right to withdraw. those costs could be major, we should recognise PT are vulnerable and exploitable position there’s been many studies in psych where the welfare of PT have not been protected

Question 12

disadvantages of milgrams study?

Answer 12

1- deception + informed consent = PT mislead about true purpose believing it was about learning + punishment deceived into thinking they’re hurting people
2- psychological distress = PT exhibited significant stress, sweating, trembling and even crying, milgram only debrief a month after

Question 13

disadvantages of W+R study ?

Answer 13

1. lack of informed consent = little A mother may have not been fully informed on purpose, A couldn’t consent himself
2. psychological harm = inducing fear may have long term implications on his mental health
3. A was lever debriefed due to his mum taking him out of the study potentially leaning to lasting effects which is neglectful and unethical

Question 14

disadvantages of bowlbys study ?

Answer 14

1. overemphases on role of the mother = criticised for reinforcing gender stereotypes
2. cultural bias = based on studies in western middle class families cannot be applied to all cultures
3. lack of consent and privacy

Question 15

4- what is socially sensitive research ?

Answer 15

psychological research that has ethical implications that go beyond the research situation and effects people and groups in wider society

Question 16

3 areas that raise social sensitivity ?

Answer 16

1. culture and ethnicity
2. sex and gender
3. distress to PT

Question 17

4- issues for society ?

Answer 17

1. findings could promote prejudice and discrimination or could be used in an unethical way
   for example = liston and schwartz investigated both gay and straight and found 94% of gay men reported having sex with at least one person other than their partner. which could add legitimacy to homophobic views such as gay men can’t commit encourage discrimination

Question 18

4- justification for society ?

Answer 18

socially sensitive research is still important to carry out, potential benefits outweigh these issues leading to wider public understanding of under represented groups
example = important to research into sexual behaviour of all sexualities in order to create more effective safe sex campaigns that could reduce STIs potentially saving lives