week 2

Question 1

Ontology

Answer 1

A branch of philosophy that is concerned with the assumptions we make about the nature of being, existence or reality

Ontological assumptions shape research methods

Question 2

Realism

Answer 2

reality exists independent of the human mind ad can be accessed through research

Question 3

Relativism

Answer 3

reality is dependent on the ways we come to know it

Question 4

Critical realism

Answer 4

reality exists independent of the observer, but we cannot know that reality for certainty

Question 5

Epistemology

Answer 5

a branch of philosophy that is concerned with questions about what constitutes valid knowledge and how we can obtain it-in other words, questions about how we can know and what we can know

Question 6

Epistemology- positivism

Answer 6

Our perception of the world = the world!
Aligned with ontology of realism.
Unbiased, objective and scientific research can show us what reality is.

Question 7

Epistemology- post-positivism

Answer 7

Karl Popper (1959) – addresses the criticisms surrounding positivism.
Researchers and our research are influenced by context.
However, research is done to know and understand a singular truth

Question 8

Epistemology- interpretivism

Answer 8

Algin with the ontological perspective of relativism
Reality and meaning is understood from an individual perspective
Knowledge is subjective and formed at an individual level
A researcher seeks to interpret an individuals interpretation of their experiences and meaning.
Researchers can use a general interpretivist framework or a specific interpretivist framework relating to critical theories e.g., feminist.

Question 9

epistemology- constructionism

Answer 9

Aligns with the ontology of relativism
Knowledge is constructed through social processes

Question 10

Social constructionism

Answer 10

Reality is a construct of social processes – language, culture and society
Knowledge is based on these social processes.

Question 11

Social Constructivism

Answer 11

Reality is based in social context – reciprocal between a person and their social context.
Knowledge is grounded in social interactions, culture and history

Question 12

Reflexivity

Answer 12

Acknowledgement by the researcher of the role played by their interpretative frameworks or speaking position (including theoretical commitments, personal understandings and personal experiences) in creating their analytical accounts

the processes of reflecting on biases that can affect research.

Question 13

Personal reflexivity

Answer 13

The way in which the research is shaped by the researcher’s own background identities, interests viewa

Question 14

Discursive reflexivity

Answer 14

Detailed attention to the role of the researcher in the research process

Question 15

Epistemological Reflexivity

Answer 15

The way in which the shaped by theoretical assumptions, research questions methods of data collection

Question 16

Watson & Rayner (1920)

Answer 16

Can an infant be conditioned to fear animals or inanimate objects that appear alongside a loud noise?
Participant = 9-month old Albert Barger.
Albert could not provide informed consent.
Deliberately causing fear  psychological harm!
Did not “de-condition” Albert – was the psychological trauma and fear long lasting?

Question 17

Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment (1971)

Answer 17

Set up as a prison – participants were either “inmates/prisoners” or “guards”
Participants did not believe they had the right to withdraw from the study.
Felt like they were actually in prison!
There was no protection from psychological or physical harm.
A highly unethical study and used as an example of what not to do…

Question 18

Respect for the autonomy, privacy and dignity of individuals, groups, and communities

Answer 18

Psychologists value the dignity and worth of all persons, with sensitivity to the dynamics of perceived authority or influence over persons and peoples and with particular regard to people’s rights’

Question 19

Scientific integrity

Answer 19

Research should be designed, reviewed and conducted in a way that ensures its quality, integrity and contribution to the development of knowledge and understanding.”

Question 20

Social responsibility

Answer 20

The discipline of psychology, both as a science and a profession, exists within the context of human society. Accordingly, a shared collective duty for the welfare of human and non-human beings, both within the societies in which psychology researchers live and work, and beyond them, must be acknowledged by those conducting research.”

Question 21

Maximising benefit and minimising harm

Answer 21

Psychologists value their responsibilities to persons and peoples, to the general public, and to the profession and science of psychology, including the avoidance of harm and the prevention of misuse or abuse of their contribution to society

Question 22

Five stages of risk assessment.

Answer 22

Identify the risks
Establish potential harm and who would be affected
Evaluate the scale of risks and develop control measures
Document the findings of the protocol
Assess effectiveness – what is the extent of potential harm and how likely is the harm? – Modify if necessary.

Question 23

physical safety

Answer 23

Qualitative research is often conducted in the “wild” – this may affect the physical safety of the researcher.
Need to consider factors such as the location of study, the nature of participant, experience etc.
Also threats posed by the possible implications of findings

Question 24

Emotional safety

Answer 24

Discussions, particularly of sensitive and unexpected topics, may cause distress to both the participant and the researcher
Consider a care-plan (e.g. debrief) if this is likely