Issues and Debates- Ethical Implications Flashcards
How can Psychological Research have Ethical Implications?
Psychological research can have ethical implications in which there could be a direct impact upon the ppts/ group the ppts represent if the research is published.
How is Psychological Research with Ethical Implications Described as?
Research described as socially sensitive because there are possible social consequences for the class of people represented by the research.
Example of Ethical Implications on Psychological Research?
How valid the findings of the research are, e.g. research may be presented as objective when it’s used fraudulent methods/ has been influenced significantly by researcher bias.
Can have further implications if the research goes on to influence policies and legislation within society.
AO3: Bowlby’s Research on Maternal Deprivation
P: Argued that separation from the mother can lead to a range of psychological and social problems, including affectionless psychopathy.
E: Had negative ethical implications because it influenced social policy, mothers were encouraged to stay home and look after children.
E: Because theory of maternal deprivation blames mother for negative consequences, can have negative implications for women by making them feel inadequate, guilty, pressured to fulfil maternal role.
L: Also makes the father feel as though their role’s less important.
AO3: Bowlby’s Research on Maternal Deprivation
P: Socially sensitive Research is controversial if it was based on appropriate conclusions it could be seen as beneficial.
E: However, validity of Bowlby’s research has been criticised.
E: Because much of the early research has been contradicted and Bowlby’s been accused of biased reporting to support his own theory.
L: Showing the risks of poorly controlled research on controversial topics and ethical implications for society.
Types of Ethical Implications
When published, research findings can result in other ethical implications such as potential bias or labelling against certain vulnerable groups/ cultures.
AO3: Schizophrenia Research Findings
P: e.g. research findings that schizophrenia’s due to family dysfunction has ethical implications for the families of those who’ve had a child with Sz as many people may label the family as the cause of the child’s Sz.
E: Because explanation states Sz’s due to faulty communication patterns in families such as high levels of expressed emotion causing relapse.
E: Problematic, as parents of the child are having to take care of their child with Sz already and may experience feelings of guilt and blame for causing the condition.
L: Family dysfunction explanation of Sz may not be an appropriate explanation.
AO3: Practical Applications
P: Despite ethical implications, research into family dysfunction as an explanation of Sz has led to practical applications.
E: e.g. the theory of high expressed emotion causing relapse has led to the treatment of family therapy
E: Family therapy aims to reduce levels of expressed emotion and has been effective in preventing relapse.
L: Suggests, the benefits of conducting socially sensitive research outweighs the costs despite the ethical implications.
