3) Issues and Debates - Ethical Implications of Research Studies and Theory

Question 1

What are ethical implications?

Answer 1

The impact that psychological research may have in terms of rights of other people, especially participants.

Question 2

How may ethical issues arise?

Answer 2

When there is a conflict between the need to gain valid findings and preserving the rights and dignity of participants at the same time..

Question 3

What was established to help protect those involved in research?

Answer 3

Ethical guidelines

Question 4

What is socially sensitive research?

Answer 4

Studies in which there are potential consequences or implications, either directly for the participants or for the class of individuals that they represent.

Question 5

Give an ethical issue of socially sensitive research in terms of its implications.

Answer 5

Implications

• May lead to prejudice/discrimination.
• An example of this would be the studies which examine the racial basis of intelligence.
• However the implications of research may be difficult to predict at the time.

Question 6

Give an ethical issue of socially sensitive research in relation to the uses/public policy.

Answer 6

• Findings may be adopted by the government for political ends or to shape public policy.
• Shown by Cyril Burt who established the 11+ examination which decided whether children went to study at a grammar school as he claimed that evidence showed that intelligence was genetic. However, it was discovered that he made his research up but the 11+ examination and the idea that children should be separated due to intelligence was kept.

Question 7

Give an ethical issue of socially sensitive research in relation to the validity of the research.

Answer 7

• Some previously accepted research may later turn our to be highly suspect and possibly fraudulent.
• An example would be Cyril Burt’s research involving students being separated by smartness through the 11+ exam, deciding which children would be accepted into grammar schools. It was then discovered that his research did not actually test for intelligence and much of his data was made up..
• However, many social constructionist researchers are much more upfront with their own biases and preconceptions.

Question 8

Give a strength of socially sensitive research

Answer 8

P - It is argued by Scarr that studies of underrepresented groups and issues may lead to a greater understanding.
E - This can help reduce prejudice.

E - This can be seen in the lack of reliability of eyewitness testimony has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice in the legal system.
L - This suggests that socially sensitive research may play a valuable role in society.