5.6 Ethical Implications

Question 1

What are ethical implications?

Answer 1

The consequences/effect of psychological research on individual participants or the way certain groups are regarded

Question 2

What is social sensitivity (as defined by Sieber and Stanley)?

Answer 2

Studies in which there are potential consequences/implications, either directly for the participants or the class of individuals represented by the research

Question 3

What did Sieber and Stanley suggest about research questions?

Answer 3

• The way research questions are phrased/investigated may influence the way findings are represented

Question 4

Two strengths of ethical implications of research studies and theory

Answer 4

1. Benefits for groups:
- socially sensitive research can benefit group being studied
- e.g homosexuality = labelled as ‘sociopathic personality disorder’ in DSM-1 (but was eventually removed in 1973)
- Kinsey et al : anonymous interviews with 5000 men about their sexual behaviour
- report concluded that homosexuality = a typical expression of human behaviour
- illustrates the importance of tackling sensitive topics

2. Real-world application:
- certain groups e.g policy makers rely on socially sensitive research
- government looks at research when developing importance social policies e.g childcare, mental health provision, education
- Uk has independent groups e.g office for national statistics = responsible for collecting + analysing objective statistics about the economy/society
- this data is used in psychological research
- psychologists have an improtance role in providing high quality socially sensitve reseach

Question 5

One limitation of ethical implications of research studies and theory

Answer 5

1. Poor research design:
- poor research may lead to erroneous findings
- Burt: developed the 11+, later found discrepencies in his data which was found fake e.g two ‘imaginary’ research assistants
- although the fraud was exposed, 11+ continued to be used
- 11+ can have significant impact on later life opportunities (decides secondary school child goes to)
- socially sensitive research needs to be planned with the greatest care
- if findings are invalid, can have enduring effects on particular groups

Question 6

How is Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation socially sensitive research?

Answer 6

• Influenced parental custody, mothers now prioritised in cases of divorce/separation
• Pressure on mothers to remain at home as caregiver/nurturer rather than working

Question 7

What did Coyle highlight about ‘heterosexual bias’?

Answer 7

• Research into relationships guilty of comparing/judging homosexual relationships against heterosexual norms

Question 8

How are ethical issues/dealing with participants important in socially sensitive research? (+ an example)

Answer 8

• Important issues e.g informed consent, confidentiality, psychological harm
• e.g domestic abuse studies = participants worry about ex-partner finding out about study
• ALSO may be stressful for participants to describe their experience
• some may give consent in the beginning but not understand the full effect of their research

Question 9

Why is it important to consider the way socially sensitive findings may be used?

Answer 9

• Findings from research may be seen giving scientific credence to existing prejudices e.g ethnic basis of intelligence (early IQ testing)
• ALSO sensitive information is what the media tends to be interested in/publicise