I+D Flashcards
Socially sensitive research
Research that has potential consequences for the individuals involved and the individuals represented by that research which potentially leads to a change in the way this group is treated.
Ethical implications
Concern the wider impact that research may have at a societal level
how can research have ethical implications
-A study on depression might have consequences for the individual
-An individual participant might reveal personal information that is later accessed by an employer
-Findings may suggest that people with depression never fully recover which is a risk to the employee
what are the implications for research process
-research question
-dealing with participants
-the way findings are used
What implication can the research question have on the research process
-the way in which research questions are phrased and investigated may influence the way in which findings are interpreted
What implications can dealing with participants have on the research process
issues such as informed consent, confidentiality and psychological harm may be especially important in socially sensitive resarch
How might the way findings are used have implications on the research process
researchers should consider in advance how research findings may be used. It may impact on what data they actually collect. This is especially important because findings may be seen as giving scientific credence to existing prejudice
What is a strength of socially sensitive research (benefits for groups)
Kinsley (1948) report stated homosexual
behaviour is a normal variant of human
behaviour.
Allowed homosexuality to be removed from
DSM – 1.
This illustrates the importance of researchers tackling topics that are sensitive
What is a counterpoint to benefits for groups of socially sensitive research
Limitation
Negative consequences of some research.
E.g. genetics and criminality. Could mean that
people are convicted on the basis that they
have particular genes, or should they be
excused as they cannot be held responsible
for their genetics.
This suggests that when researching socially sensitive topics there is a need for careful consideration of the possible outcomes
What is a strength of socially sensitive research (real-world application)
Policy makers rely on research related to socially sensitive research.
Eg decisions on health care, crime or education. Better to make policy from research than politics
ONS collect stats on UK and used in psychology
research.
This means that psychologists have an important role to play in providing high quality research
What is a limitation of socially sensitive research (poor research design)
Poor research leads to erroneous findings, if released into public arena they have bigger impact.
E.G Burt research for 11+ exam or entrance to
independent school at age 6, as genetic potential has revealed itself by this age.
Research must be carefully planned to ensure findings are valid due to the enduring effects on groups of people.
Holism
The argument that it only makes sense to study an indivisible system rather than its constituent parts
Which approach took on a holistic view
The humanistic approach
What did the humanistic approach focus on in terms of holism
-individual experiences
-they used qualitative methods
What did Gestalt psychologists argue about holism
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
Reductionism
The belief that human behaviour is best understood by studying the smaller constituent parts
What is reductionism based on
Scientific principle of parsimony
Levels of explanation
The idea hat there are several levels that can be used to explain behaviour
Biological reductionism
A form of reductionism which attempts to explain behaviour at the lowest biological level
What is an example of biological reductionism
-Arguments often work backwards
-drugs that increase serotonin have been found to be effective in treating OCD
-Low serotonin may be a cause of OCD
Environmental reductionism
The attempt to explain all behaviour in terms of stimulus-response links that have been learnt through experience
What is an example of environmental reductionism
The learning theory of attachment reduces the idea of love to a learned association between the person doing the feeding and food resulting in pleasure
What is a limitation of holism/strength of reductionism (practical value)
-may lack practical value
-Holistic accounts of human behaviour tend to become hard to use as they become more complex
-Can prevent researchers with a practical dilemma
-If we accept from a humanistic perspective that there are many different factors that contribute to depression then it becomes difficult to know which is more influential
-Which to prioritise as the basis of therapy for instance
-This suggests that holistic accounts may lack practical value
What is a strength of reductionism/limitation of holism (scientific approach)
-often form the basis of a scientific approach
-in order to conduct well-controlled research we need to operationalise the variables to be studied
-This makes it possible to conduct experiments or record observations in a way that is objective and reliable
-This scientific approach gives psychology greater credibility. placing it equal terms with the natural sciences
Gender bias
To treat one group in a different way from others. Where psychological theory or research may offer a view that does not justifiably represent the experience of men or women
Universality
An underlying characteristic of human beings that is capable of being applied to all, despite differences of experience and upbringing
Alpha bias
Within psychological research exaggerates or overestimates differences between the sexes. (e.g Freud)
What is an example of alpha bias
Freud’s theory of psychosexual development. During the phallic stage both boys and girls develop a desire for the opposite gender parent. However a girls identification with her mother is weaker and therefore girls are morally inferior
How can alpha bias favour women
Chodorow suggested that daughters and mothers have a greater connectedness than sons and mothers because of biological similarities. therefore women develop a better ability to bond with others and empathise
Beta bias
Is where research ignores or minimises the differences between the sexes. This happens when we assume that research findings can be applied equally to both men and women
What is an example of beta bias
-the fight or flight response
-Biological research has generally favoured using male animals because female behaviour is affected by regular hormonal changes due to ovulation
-Recent research by Taylor shows that oxytocin is more plentiful in women and they respond by increasing production
Androcentrism
When normal behaviour is judged to a male standard
Cultural bias
Refers to the tendency to ignore cultural differences and interpret all phenomena through the ‘lens’ of ones own culture.
Henrich research on culture bias
-reviewed hundreds of studies in leading psychology journals
-68% of research participants came from the US
-96% from industrialised nations
-These findings suggest that what we know about human behaviour has a strong cultural bias
Who were the people most likely to be studied in research according to Henrich
WEIRD
-westernised
-Educated people from industries
-Rich
-Democracies
Ethnocentrism
Judging other cultures by the standards and values of one’s own culture. In extreme forms is the belief in the superiority of one’s own culture which may lead to prejudice
What is an example of ethnocentrism
Mary Ainsworth’s strange situation is criticised as reflecting only the norms and values of western culture.
-In Japan infants were much more likely to be classified as insecurely attached because they showed considerable distress on separation. (rarely separated from mother)
Cultural relativism
The idea that norms and values as well as ethics and moral standards can only be meaningful and understood within specific social and cultural context
Imposed etic
Using your own culture as the norm and comparing others to it.
