socially sensitive research

Question 1

socially sensitive research

Answer 1

• where topic/ area and/ or group studied can have implications for society/ certain groups in society
  = leading to a change in the way these groups are treated/ perceived

Question 2

concerns about conducting socially sensitive research

Answer 2

• implications
• uses/ public policy

Question 3

implications - concerns about conducting socially sensitive research

Answer 3

• the wider effects of such research should be considered as some studies may be seen as giving ‘scientific’ credence to prejudice + discrimination

Question 4

uses/ public policy - concerns about conducting socially sensitive research

Answer 4

• what is the research likely to be used for?
• what would happen if it was used for the wrong purpose?
• maybe used for government policy

Question 5

ethical issues

Answer 5

• deception
• privacy
• confidentiality
• informed consent

Question 6

deception - ethical issues

Answer 6

• includes self deception whereby research may lead people to form untrue stereotypes (believing that women are less good at maths)
• which then affects one’s own performance

Question 7

privacy - ethical issues

Answer 7

• some research may lead to social policies that are an invasion of people’s private lives
• e.g. AIDS research may cause people to go through compulsory testing

Question 8

confidentiality - ethical issues

Answer 8

• parts may be less willing to divulge info in the future if confidentiality is breached
  = further related research would be compromised

Question 9

informed consent - ethical issues

Answer 9

• potential parts may not always comprehend what is involved

Question 10

example of socially sensitive research

Answer 10

• research into social interactions + practises of homosexuals meeting in public toilets for sex
• psych himself = homosexual
• acted as a gay man + talked to parts
• took their car no. plates = check background info
  = analysis of findings suggested that gay stereotypes are false

= at the time homosexuality was not widely accepted
- breach of privacy = possible -ve implications for parts (police had their details)
- research outcome = +ve for gay community

Question 11

strengths

Answer 11

• important to recognise that not all socially sensitive research is controversial + some is beneficial to society
• e.g. research examining EWT using child EW
  = found that young children can be reliable
• IF they are questioned in a timely + appropriate manner
  = socially sensitive research has improved the accuracy + validity of child EW
• good working relationship between psychs + legal profession

Question 12

discrimination - weaknesses

Answer 12

• socially sensitive research can lead to issues of discrimination
• therefore some psychs argue against this form of research
• e.g. research examining racial differences in IQ has been used to justify new unwanted forms of social control
• e.g. in 1900’s over 64,000 individuals were forcibly sterilised under eugenic legislation in the US
• this could be ‘justified’ by flawed research findings
  = argued that black Americans had lower IQ scores in comparison to white Americans
• lead to discrimination + is harmful

Question 13

add exam q’s for socially sensitive research + issues + debates