Socially Sensitive Research Flashcards
What is socially sensitive research?
Research that has negative implications for the participants and those they represent
How is Rosenhan (1973) an example of socially sensitive research?
The participants couldn’t recognise good mental health. Implies those beyond th study can’t either
How is Milgram (1963) an example of socially sensitive research?
Those that went to full voltage - sensitive for them and wider society. Would have been even more sensitive if it was found that the Germans were different.
What is an example of socially sensitive research?
An instructor sent students out to experiment with personal space. One student sat thigh to thigh with a man and they pulled out a knife.
How can research be socially sensitive?
- The topic if it is a socially undesirable behaviour
- The way participants are gathered
- Snowball sampling
- What surveys are asked and who they are sent to e.g survey about childcare shouldn’t be sent to a parent with a dead child
- Qualitative research often involves researcher investing in ppts lives
How is Raine (1997) socially sensitive?
Aimed to reduce the sentence of NGRIs. Victims may not get justice. Raises questions about screening people to see if they become aggressive
How is Becker (1998) socially sensitive?
Topic is eating disorders. About a specific culture. Distressing for ppts. Blames Western world for eating disorders
How is Sherif (1954/61) socially sensitive?
Showed that anyone can be prejudiced as the boys simply became prejudiced over competition. Regularly attended summer camp - likely to have has natural hostility at some point
How is Burger (2009) socially sensitive?
Less than Milgram. Only went to 150V and 15V sample shock but still found same conclusions today.
How is Pavlov (1927) socially sensitive?
Animal research - should animals be involved in research? Potentially could be used as a method of social control - classical conditioning
How are treatments like aversion therapy, flooding, systematic dessensitisation and token economy socially sensitive?
Could be used as a method of social control. Flooding very intense = distressing. Token economy manipulates behaviour. Aversion therapy unethical.
How is research by Caughy (1994) regarding daycare socially sensitive?
Found that middle class children put in daycare at an early age generally score less on cognitive tests than children from similar familied reared from home. Implications,
Why is socially sensitive research important?
- Can gain greater understanding over key issues in society like prejudice
- EWT
- Most research carried out on white middle class Americans (90%) SSR is helping change this
Why isn’t socially sensitive research good?
- Flawed research used to dictate social policy
- Has been used to discriminate against groups
How is Guidmond et al (2013) socially sensitive?
Implies that Germans are prejudiced. May create stereotypes and prejudice against Germans.
How is Adorno et al (1950) prejudiced?
Implies some parents create children to be affected by blind obedience. Parents may feel as if they are bad parents.
Why is research into Alzheimers and Dementia socially sensitive?
Participants are vulnerable. If snowball smapling used, must be able to decline. Could scare people into thinking they have symptoms
Why are case studies for brain damaged patients socially sensitive?
Distressing for the family. May build a relationship. May become too invested. May not be able to fully consent.
How is Sebastian and Hernandez Gil (2012) socially sensitive?
Initially findings suggest that the Spanish have less capacity in the phonological loop.
How is Watson and Rayner (1920) socially sensitive?
Classically conditioned fear into a baby and didn’t remove it. Purposely distressed Albert. Could be used as social control. Shows how CC works in humans
How can harm be minimised regarding socially sensitive information?
- Consider consequences of location and identities involved
- Consider language used to report findings
- Describe cultural context to unflattering/private characteristics
- Whether revalations are worth the risk
What issues relate to socially sensitive research?
- Media and general public attention
- How the research question is formulated
- How research is conducted and how ppts are treated
- Context and setting
- Interpretation and how findings are used
How is research into obedience socially sensitive?
Shows how obedience can be created. Could be created for the wrong reasons.
How is Hofling’s study of nurses socially sensitive?
21/22 nurses adminstered a lethal dosage of an unknown drug to a patient without proper authorisation, many reported the study after as unhappy about being a ppt without knowing
How are the gain’s of Hofling’s research greater than the issues?
It was essential for society to realise that the doctor-nurse relationship was flawed and that procedures needed to be put in place when training nurses to prevent it reoccurring.
How is research into aggression socially sensitive?
Raises questions of whether we should screen people to see if they are predisposed to aggression. Questions over responsibility of criminals.
Why is studying mental health socially sensitive?
The research involves labelling people with an illness in order to then investigate the possible causes or treatments. Sensitive due to reliability and validty. Cultural issues.
How is research by Littlewood and Lipsedge socially sensitive?
Suggests that black and Irish more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia - specific cultural groups
How is research by Nicholls socially sensitive?
Suggests 50% of those with eating disorders don’t get diagnosed - socially sensitive subject matter - eating disorder
How is research by Brown (1986) socially sensitive?
Suggests family play a role in the development of depression
How is Veling (2008) socially sensitive?
Implies that low ethnic density can make someone vulnerable to schizophrenia
How is Hjem (2008) socially sensitive?
Suggests that poverty links to schizophrenia
How is Wen and Wen (2014) socially sensitive?
Implies those of a higher socioeconomic status are more likely to have children with autism
How is Bailey et al (1985) socially sensitive?
Found 60% concordance for autism, implies there could be screenings - potentially terminating pregnancy
How is Li et al (2013) socially sensitive?
Suggests HQ daycare is better, HQ daycare likely to be more expensive, implies those who can’t afford it are going to be disadvantaged
How is research into attachment socially sensitive?
Blames rejecting or inconsistent parents for creating insecure attachments through poor bonding. Considerable issue gien post natal depressio, puts pressure on mothers
