Ethical Implications

• • Ethical implications = the consequences that research has beyond the context of the study
  • Social sensitive research = when a group or topic area studied can have implications for society or certain groups potentially leading to a change in justification for the way these groups are treated or perceived.
• Sieber and Stanley = identified 4 aspects in research that raise ethical implications


  1. The research question (consider carefully)
  2. The methodology used (consider the treatments of ppts)
  3. The institutional context (how the data will be used)
  4. Application of findings (how their findings will be interpreted)
• AO2


  • Bowlby and monotropy = there is a pressure on mums not to return to work as they feel guilty for leaving them during the critical period
  • Role of the father = suggests men are genetically unable to form close bonds (nurture)
• One reason we should carry out socially sensitive research is due to benefit to the legal profession. Meaning it has been desirable to society due to research on EWT. For example, in the US in 1973 there were 350 cases where EWT was only evidence of guilt yet 74% was convicted. Due to psychological research courts and juries are now less impressed by EWT. Therefore socially sensitive research has shown memory from EWT can be easily distorted (Loftus and Palmer)This is a strength as it means people wont be found guilty only due to EWT which reduces the risk of miscarriage in the legal system.
• One reason we should carry out socially sensitive research is because researchers should be able to freely carry out research. This is because Aronson says there is a danger if government pass laws to prohibit certain research if it's for political reasons rather than ethical ones. For example, Saccar argues socially sensitive research can help reduce prejudice of certain groups due to societies understanding and awareness of ethnic groups can be improved reducing stigma and prejudice. Therefore, we should conduct socially sensitive research as it can have positive effects to society.
• However, an argument against socially sensitive research is that findings can be used negatively such as in race related IQ research. For example, Goddard gave intelligence tests to immigrants arriving in New York he claimed his findings showed 87% Russians, 83% Jews, 79% Italians were feeble minded and unfit to breed but ignoring the fact the tests were in English meaning they had little understanding. Therefore, socially sensitive research has negative implications such as being used in justifying discriminatory practices.