social sensitivity

Question 1

social sensitivity 4 groups

What four aspects determined by Sieber and Stanley (1988) have the potential to cause social sensitivity?

Answer 1

Sieber & Stanley (1988) (the main names for Socially Sensitive Research (SSR) outline 4 groups that may be affected by psychological research: It is the first group of people that we are most concerned with!

1) Members of the social group being studied such as racial or ethnic group. For example early research on IQ was used to discriminate against US Blacks.
2) Friends and relatives of those taking part in the study, particularly in case studies, where individuals may become famous or infamous. Cases that spring to mind would include Genie’s mother.
3) The research team. There are examples of researchers being intimidated because of the line of research they are in.
4) The institution in which the research is conducted.

Question 2

ao3 ssr’s

Answer 2

Arguments for SSR (AO3)
• Psychologists have devised methods to resolve the issues raised.

• SSR is the most scrutinised research in psychology. Ethical committees reject more SSR than any other form of research.
• By gaining a better understanding of issues such as gender, race and sexuality we are able to gain a greater acceptance and reduce prejudice.
• SSR has been of benefit to society, for example EWT. This has made us aware that EWT can be flawed and should not be used without corroboration. It has also made us aware that the EWT of children is every bit as reliable as that of adults.
• Most research is still carried out on white middle class Americans (about 90% of research quoted in texts!). SSR is helping to redress the balance and make us more aware of other cultures and outlooks.

Arguments against SSR (AO3)
• Flawed research has been used to dictate social policy and put certain groups at a disadvantage.

• Research has been used to discriminate against groups in society such as sterilisation of people in the USA between 1910 and 1920 because they were of low intelligence, criminal or suffered from psychological illness.
• The guidelines used by psychologists to control SSR lack power and as a result are unable to prevent indefensible research being carried out.

Question 3

What does it mean if research is socially sensitive?

Answer 3

This means that the research can have implications for those being researched or for other individuals to whom the findings of research are generalised. Sensitive topics are where there is risk or where the findings are threatening for someone. Reseach can be socailly sensitive if it involves loss of confidentiality.

Question 4

Give examples of they type of research that can be classed as socially sensitive.

Answer 4

Much of what we study in psychology has a social impact, it has the potential to affect the participants, social group they belong to, or whole societies. Research into racial differences, gender-related abilities, criminality and obedience are samples of the types of research that are socially sensitive.

Question 5

Should research that is socially snesitive still be done?

Answer 5

Although socially sensitive research can give findings that are a threat to others and upsetting, it is research that should be done. This is because such research is likely to relate to people that are seen as having low status in society or where people might be subject of media reports or targeted becuase of findings. This can help to also increase understanding of sensitive topics leadng to additional help, support and wider considerations within society.

Question 6

Describe the issues with the formulation of the research question

Answer 6

Harm to social groups may occur in a subtle way, through ommisions, assumptions, attitudes and values. Individual participants may be protected from harm but the social groups to which they belong may be harmed as a result of the research process.

Question 7

Describe the issues with how the research is carried out and how participants are treated

Answer 7

In general the view is that the more important the issue the greater the potential benefit to society but the more likely the individual is to experience distress and discomfort. This is because, the more important the issue, the more essential the use of deception.

To deal with this, Aronson proposed a cost-benefit- analysis which weighs how much good will derive from such research against how much harm will occur to the participant.

Question 8

Describe the issues with the context

Answer 8

Milgram’s studies also provide an example of the context within which research is carried out. Milgram found that obedience levels dropped considerably when his experiment was conducted in a downtown office, compared with the high levels found when the study was at Yale University. the setting influenced the participants behaviour.

Question 9

Describe the issues with the application of the resuts

Answer 9

Researchers need to consider the use to which others may put their findings. There are many different ways in which research findings can be (mis)used. If research is not carried out, then findings cannot be misused however, neither will their be any benefit to society.

Question 10

Describe the issues with social sensitivity in cognitive psychology.

Answer 10

Not much to say. Only that there might be implications for cognitive processing compared to general functioning. there could also be issues with self-esteem if someone feels taht they have performed badly. Could be issues with eye witness testimony.

Cost Vs Benefit

Overall it is good to cary out this research because it allows for improved revision techniques and has the potential to help those who have decreased brain functioning.

Question 11

Describe the issues with social sensitivity in learning psychology.

Answer 11

Focus on the fear responses and the phobias. This has the potential to cause harm both psychologically and physically. If the individual is treated by flooding this could cause serious harm.

Cost Vs benefit

There are millions of people with phobias, if we are able to develop a strategy to help remove them this would greatly help individuals.

Question 12

Describe the issues with social sensitivity in social psychology.

Answer 12

Milgram chose not to protect the individual in order to benefit society as a whole. This is a sacrifice that he felt was necessery for the greater good and after, 80% of participants said that they were glad that they took part.

Cost Vs benefit

Some people may not want to know what they’d do in various social situations but this would be a potential benefit as tehy would be aware of the potential of the behaviour and so can avoid it.

Question 13

Describe the issues with social sensitivity in biological psychology.

Answer 13

Scanning peoples brains and looking at their genes might tell us about the individual and if they have a predisposition for aggression but there is no real application. It has the potential to lead to lavelling and stigmatisation within society and eventually the need for people to be screened to check for these pre-disposition however nothing can be done. It isn’t necessary, lots of people have brain differences but never demonstrate aggressive behaviour.

Cost Vs benefit

The costs include sitgmatisation and self fulfilling prophecy but the benefit is that it allows for more individualised help to be provided.

Question 14

Describe the issues with social sensitivity in criminal psychology.

Answer 14

Eye witness testimony research has shown us more about the cognitive interview technique and the importance of having an accurate eye witness account.

Cost Vs benefit

Benefits include the increased safety of accurately convicting criminals and reduce the number of people who are wrongly convicted.

Question 15

Describe the issues with social sensitivity in clinical psychology.

Answer 15

Huge amounts of stigmatisation and judgements that we make about people and mental illness. This has the potential to affect an individuals life significantly as research shows that once you have a label it is hard to remove this. Lots of the bio stuff also applies here.

Cost Vs benefit

Benefits include the fact that it can help to find treatments for those who are suffering and can offer an element of social protection.

Question 16

SCAR

Answer 16

Conducting Socially Sensitive Research = Socially sensitive research can S.C.A.R.
Subject to social norms     
Controversial   
Able to shape the law / policy   
Risking stereotyping and prejudice

Sieber and Stanley (1988) used this term to describe studies where there are potential social consequences for the Ps or the group of people represented by the research. Socially sensitive research is…

Controversial
Risking stereotyping and prejudice
Subject to social values / norms
Able to shape the law

Question 17

ao3

Answer 17

Reasons FOR and AGAINST conducting socially sensitive research

Socially Sensitive Research should be done
Some psychologists argue that ignoring socially sensitive areas is abandoning our ‘social responsibilities’.
Not all socially sensitive research is controversial (e.g. Sperry)
Some is beneficial to society (e.g. Loftus and Palmer)
Psychologists should be free to carry out whatever research is important to them because if governments start passing laws to prohibit certain kinds of research, then there is a danger that research will be stopped for political rather than for ethical reasons.

Problems with Socially Sensitive Research
Interest of the Ps taking part
Indirect impact on the participant’s family and co-workers
How the findings may be used by other people or institutions to form and/or shape public social policy
Harm to people and marginalised groups (e.g. with disabilities, the elderly, poor) who are largely excluded from research
Some psychologists suggest that we should avoid research into sensitive topics, including race, gender and sexuality.
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Question 18

comparing the debate with other debates

Answer 18

Free Will / Determinism
Deterministic explanations can lead to socially sensitive research as they suggest there is a clear cause for behaviour. This can lead to labelling and discrimination and may remove personal responsibility.

Nature/nurture
A lot of socially sensitive research is about the genetic basis of behaviour and so is the nature side of debate.

Reductionism / Holism
Reductionist as often socially sensitive research focuses on a specific trait such as sex or race, as the cause of a behaviour.

Individual / situational explanations
The danger of attributing the cause of behaviour to individual factors is that it can lead to socially sensitive research as the implications of findings could suggest that a person’s race, age, gender or disability cause behaviours. This can cause social stigmas and discrimination.

Usefulness
Often socially sensitive research has useful applications but the validity of research can be questioned

Ethics
Often socially sensitive research causes psychological harm

Psych as a Science
Research must try to be scientific if it is to be trusted and to reduce implications of socially sensitive research such as incorrect interpretations of data.