Issues and Debates: Ethical implications

Question 1

What does socially sensitive mean?

Answer 1

Studies in which there are potential social consequences or implications either directly for the ppts in research or class of ppl represented by the research

Question 2

What are the ethical consequences?

Answer 2

Ethical issues
Ethical Implications

Question 3

What are ethical issues?

Answer 3

Ppts in studies are protected by guidelines in place by the BPS

Question 4

What are ethical implications?

Answer 4

For the groups represented in the research, what will be the impact on them

Question 5

What are some examples of ethical implications?

Answer 5

Effects of research findings on ppts
Potential bias against people of certain cultures/socio-economic backgrounds
Possible uses of findings
How valid findings on research are

Question 6

How to make sure the we use the findings?

Answer 6

Findings are rarely neutral so all potential possitive and negative uses should be considered before research is conducted

Question 7

How valid the findings are?

Answer 7

Ensure research uses objective and well tested measures that can reduce/remove bias, so we can be confident in findings

Question 8

What is a limitation of Bowlby’s research?

Answer 8

It had negative ethical implications because it influenced social policy
Mothers were encouraged to stay at home and look after children
Theory blames mother for negative consequences, makes mothers feel inadequate, guilty and pressured to fulfil the maternal rolwe
Makes father role feel less important

Question 9

What is another limitation of Bowlby’s research?

Answer 9

Much of the early research has been contradicted and Bowlby has been accused of baised reporting to support his own theory
Shows poorly controlled research on controversial topics and ethical implications

Question 10

How does race and IQ come into this?

Answer 10

African-Carribeans score an average of 15 points lower on IQ tests than Caucasians
Findings could be misused in society as it gives scientific justification for discrimination and prejudice as it implies African-Carribeans are intelectually inferior than Caucasions

Question 11

What is some AO3 for race and IQ?

Answer 11

Practical applications
Research into IQ’s has been used to develop educations programmes and reduces social inequity to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds
Benefit society by reducing inequality and understanding of social issues
Far too simplistic to consider socially sensitive research has always been negative

Question 12

What is some overall AO3?

Answer 12

A strength of socially sensitive research is that it addresses some of society’s most pressing issues and policy qs
Although ignoring ethical implications in sensitive research is not a responsible approach to science, shying away from controversial topics is an avoidance of responsibility
Important for ethical committees to fully consider costs and benefits to ppts in study and groups of ppl they represent when reviewing research proposals