A03 Ethical Implications of Research

• Benefits of socially sensitive research


  Scarr argues that studies of unrepresented groups/issues may promote greater awareness and understanding. This can help tackle prejudice and encourage acceptance. Similarly, socially sensitive research has benefitted society like Loftus.
• Framing the question


  Sieber and Stanley warn that how research questions are phrased and investigated may influence the way that findings are interpreted. Cross-cultural research may be squandered by ethnocentrism.
• Klitzinger and Coyle (Framing the question)


  Note research into 'alternative relationships' has been guilty of a heterosexual bias suggesting that researchers must approach their research with an 'open mind' and be prepared to have their preconceptions challenged if they're to avoid misrepresenting minority groups.
• Who gains?

  Socially sensitive research used by the government and other institutions to shape social policy, despite the sometimes dubious nature of its findings and without full consideration on its implications. E.g: 1950s cinema lie about flashing images making people wanting to buy popcorn and cola.
• Social control


  In the 1920-30s, a large number of US states enacted legislation that led to cumpulsory sterilisation of the 'feeble-minded' society. Included people of low intelligence and drug/alcohol addicts. Supported by psychological commnity who stated feeble minded people were unfit to breed. This reinforced discriminatory behaviour.
• Costs and benefits

  Ethics committees wright the potential costs to the benefits of research. Hard to predict are the way that findings of studies may be misinterpreted or they may be applied in ways that lead to perpetuate prejudice and discrimination of certain groups that were not originally intended, e.g. IQ tests were used to stereotype black people as less intelligent.