L3 Socially sensitive research

Question 1

Define socially sensitive research

Answer 1

Studies in which there are potential social consequences or implications, either directly for the participants in the research or the class of individuals represented by the research’ (Sieber and Stanley, 1988).

Question 2

What concerns did Sieber and Stanley identify that researchers should be considerate of when conducting SSR

Answer 2

1. Implications -the wider effects of such research should be carefully considered as some studies may be seen as giving ‘scientific’ credence to prejudice and discrimination, such as studies examining the racial basis of intelligence. However, the implications of research may be difficult to predict at the outset
2. Uses/Public policies - what is the research likely to be used for? And what would happen if it was used for the wrong purpose? This is related to the idea that findings may be adopted by the government for political ends or to shape public policy.
3. Validity of research - some findings that were presented as objective and value-free in the past have actually turned out to be highly suspect, and in some cases, fraudulent. However, many modern social constructionist researchers – who may tackle socially sensi-tive areas of research – are much more up-front about their own biases and preconceptions, and include comment on the reflexive nature of their work in their publications

Question 3

What are the 10 ethical issues Sieber and Stanley identified that related to SSR

Answer 3

1. Privacy
2. Confidentiality
3. Valid methodology
4. Deception
5. Informed consent
6. Equitable treatment
7. Scientific freedom
8. Ownership of data
9. Values
10. Risk/reward ratio

Question 4

What is social control

Answer 4

Using SSR to manipulate policies and control the masses
- in the past has been abused and used to instigate racial prejudices

Question 5

An example of socially sensitive research

Answer 5

• Lowney 1955
• Participant observations of a group of teenager Satanists in the USA. Lowney recorded their views on life and their activities which mainly included a small amount of underage drinking, drug taking and listening to music. She interpreted her findings as suggesting that they had become Satanists as they did not agree with their peer group within their high school and other schools in America.
  Potential effects
• Parental backlash over the behaviour of the young people in the study
• Condemnation form the community.
• Peer exclusion as the research was very critical of certain high school social groups.

Question 6

Evaluation of SSR (represent misrepresented groups)

Answer 6

Psychologists should conduct socially sensitive research because many groups in society have suffered the consequences of being excluded from research, or being misrepresented when they have been included. Our understanding of human behaviour has been lessened by misinterpretations and failure to represent certain groups within research (e.g. people with disabilities, the elderly, women, minority groups etc.). This has ethical implications because these people miss out on the benefits of psychological research.

Question 7

Evaluation of socially sensitive research (ethical guidelines do not deal with all possible issues)

Answer 7

+ Psychologists deal with ethical issues in socially sensitive research by developing ethical guidelines. However, ethical guidelines protect the immediate needs of participants but do not deal with all of the possible ways in which research may inflict harm on a group of people or section of society. For example, ethical guidelines do not ask psychologists to consider how their research may be used by others

Question 8

Evaluation of socially sensitive research (data mishandling could be detrimental to society )

Answer 8

In order to reduce the likelihood that data is mishandled Psychologists should
be energetic in taking responsibility for what happens to their findings. They
should be aware that the results of their research may lead to abuse or discrimination.

Question 9

Evaluation of socially sensitive research (duty to conduct research)

Answer 9

It has been suggested that socially sensitive research should be avoided all together to prevent the potential negative consequences for certain groups of people. However, this would probably leave Psychologists with only unimportant issues to examine. Siber and Stanley’s view is that avoiding controversial topics is also avoiding responsibility. Therefore Psychologists have a duty to conduct research.

Question 10

Evaluation of socially sensitive research (increased potential for indirect impacts on marginalised groups)

Answer 10

There are always some social consequences from psychological research, but with socially sensitive research there is always the increased potential for a more indirect impact on the group that the participant represents (e.g. addicts, women, the elderly etc.). It is not sufficient to simply safeguard the interests of individual participants.