7. Ethical implications

• Social sensitivity

  • Ethical implications concern the consequences that psychological research may have
  • Example - study on depression may have consequences in terms of individual pps, the wider social group they represent and social policy. Personal and vulnerable info could be released and put them at risk further
• Implications for the research process

  • Research questions - Sieber and Stanley warn that the way research questions are phrased and investigated may influence the way in which findings are interpreted
  • Dealing with pps - issues with informed consent, confidentiality and psychological harm
  • The way findings are used - should be considered prior to research being conducted as it may impact on what data they actually collect. Findings may add to existing prejudice and sensitive info should not be released to the public
• AO3 - Positive implication of conducting socially sensitive research

  • Benefits for the group being studied
  • 1952 - the DSM-1 listed homosexuality as a 'sociopathic personality disorder' but was finally removed in 1973
  • This change has been credited to the Kinsey report which was based on anonymous interviews with other 5000 men and 6000 women about their sexual behaviour
  • Removed stigma round same-sex relationships and allowed it to be normalised
  • Removes existing prejudices and has real world value
• AO3 - Negative implications of conducting socially sensitive research

  • Research investigating the genetic basis of criminality has found that there is a 'criminal gene' - this was argued in the Mobley defence
  • Questions are raised on whether we can convict someone o the basis of having a gene that they can't control
  • Implications for wider society as highly dangerous criminals may not be convicted and be able to walk free, potentially creating more victims of crime
  • Need to consider possible outcomes and consequences
• AO3 - Needs to have a good design plan

  • Poor design may lead to erroneous findings which, once in the public arena continue to have an impact
  • Burt's research on intelligence being highly heritable and could be detected by sitting an 11+ exam
  • Majority of his 'data' was revealed to be fake and he was publicly discredited, the exam was still used and still today as a selection tool in parts of the UK
  • Pupils are pushed to achieve academically at such a young age and not given equal opportunity - this has lifelong impacts
  • All topics need to be planned right to ensure validity of findings