Ethics & Social Sensitivity

• Following BPS guidelines does not guarantee ethical concerns are addressed in research.
• Socially sensitive research can affect various groups, including the social group being studied, friends and relatives of participants, the research team, and the institution.
• Cost/benefit analysis is assessing the ethical balance between the costs and benefits of research.
• Sieber & Stanley (1988) suggest that researchers should not avoid researching socially sensitive issues but should take certain precautions.
• Socially sensitive research (SSR) can lead to greater acceptance and reduced prejudice, and has benefited society in areas like eyewitness testimony.
• Socially sensitive research (SSR) can lead to negative implications and discrimination against certain groups, which may be detrimental for society.
• Examples of socially sensitive research include studies on daycare and cognitive tests in middle-class children, and IQ tests and racial stereotypes.
• Ethical concerns in socially sensitive research include the research question or hypothesis, treatment of individual participants, institutional context, and interpretation and application of findings.
• The BPS stands for the British Psychological Society.
• The BPS have a code of conduct which governs ethical research in Psychology in the UK.
• Right to Withdrawal: Participants should have the right to withdraw from an investigation at any time, with no further obligations.
• Debriefing: Participants have the right to a debriefing session after the investigation. This is where they are informed of the true nature of the study.
• Ethics are standards of conduct that distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad, justice and injustice.
• Informed Consent: All participants must be fully informed of the nature of the study and information must be provided for them to make an informed decision whether or not to agree to participate.
• Protection from Harm: Participants must be protected from physical and mental harm during research, and risks should not be greater than those in their normal lives.
• Research psychologists have a duty to respect the rights and dignity of participants and must follow ethical guidelines set by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Ethical issues arise when there are ethical dilemmas, such as whether or not to deceive research participants.
• Deception: This should be avoided in research, but in some cases, it may be unavoidable and must be revealed to participants after the research is completed, usually in the debriefing.
• Confidentiality: This is important to protect participants, and their personal information should be treated in confidence. They have the right to remain anonymous.
• Ethical implications are the consequences of any research study which has an impact on the participants taking part.
• Socially sensitive research is where there are implications for individuals or wider society based on the results of a study. This may lead to stereotypes and discrimination.
• Ethical guidelines are in place to protect both participants and researchers.
• Much of the research in Clinical Psychology could raise issues which are socially sensitive.
• Researchers must be aware of the implications of their findings and how they may impact on people in society.
• One strength of SSR is that it can have benefits for the group it is studying, this could lead to successful practical applications.
• In some cases of SSR the outcomes can lead to negative effects for those being studied, which may result in prejudice or discrimination.
• Many policymakers rely on the findings from SSR, with the hope of making situations better for the future.
• Psychologists have an important role to play in providing high quality research on socially sensitive issues.
• In some studies, problems in the methodology or design could result in misleading outcomes, especially if their findings are used in the public arena.
• In the USA, the American Psychological Association (APA) make decisions about the ethical nature of research studies.
• Some potential ethical concerns related to the interpretation and application of findings in socially sensitive research include privacy invasion, stigmatisation, and potential harm to vulnerable populations.
• Socially sensitive research (SSR) can impact society by shedding light on important social issues, influencing public policy and decision-making, and promoting social justice and equality. However, it can also raise ethical concerns regarding privacy, confidentiality, and potential harm to vulnerable populations.
• The right to withdrawal allows participants in socially sensitive research to withdraw from the study at any time without facing negative consequences or penalties.
• The role of debriefing in socially sensitive research is to provide participants with information about the study's purpose, address any potential harm or discomfort experienced, and ensure their understanding and consent for their involvement.
• The role of informed consent in socially sensitive research is to ensure that participants are fully aware of the purpose, risks, and benefits of the study, and voluntarily agree to participate without coercion or deception.
• Ethical guidelines protect participants in socially sensitive research by ensuring their rights, privacy, and well-being are respected. They also protect researchers by providing clear standards and procedures to follow, reducing the risk of legal and professional consequences.
• Socially sensitive research is gathering data on issues which may be more sensitive or controversial or may be in areas where people hold more privacy.