Ethical implications of research studies and theory

• Ethical issues arise when there is a conflict between:

  • Psychology's need for valid and valuable research
  • Preserving the rights and dignity of participants
• researchers can control the methods they use and how they treat participants. They have less influence on how findings are presented in the media, how their work impacts public policy and how it affects perception of some groups in society
• Social sensitive research= there are potential social implications, either directly for the participants in research or the class of individuals represented by the research
• Examples of socially sensitive research:

  • Research investigating genetic basis of criminality might have far-reaching consequences for those who take part or for the broader social groups the participants represent
  • Studies that tackle socially sensitive 'taboo' topics such as race or sexuality attract attention from the public
• Some forms of research are socially sensitive but psychologists should not 'shy away' from them. Because of the importance of such research, psychologists may have a social responsibility to carry it out
• Sieber and Stanley have identified concerns for socially sensitive research:

  1. Implications: some studies may give 'scientific status' to prejudice and discrimination (difficult to predict at outset)
  2. Uses/public policy: what would happen if it was used for the wrong purpose? Findings may be adopted by the government for political ends or to shape public policy
  3. Validity of the research: some findings presented as objective in the past turned out to be fraudulent
• Burt was a leading psychologist influential in establishing the 11+ examination in the UK. This was used to decide whether children could go to grammar school based on their 'natural' intelligence (with a significant impact on life opportunities)
• Burt's view was that intelligence is genetic, based on his studied of twins showing a heritability coefficient of +.77. But discrepancies in the data showed he made much of the data up, and invented two research assistants. He was publicly discredited but the 11+ (and the related public policy) remained for many years
• Strength: benefits

  Scarr argues that studies of under-represented groups and issues may promote greater understanding to help reduce prejudice and encourage acceptance. Socially sensitive research has benefitted society (e.g. research into unreliability of eyewitness testimony has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice within the legal system) This suggests that socially sensitive research may play a valuable role in society
• Strength: understanding potential damage

  Socially sensitive research has been used by governments and other institutions to shape policy, despite the sometimes dubious natures of the findings. Packard claimed sales of Coca-Cola and popcorn increased when images of the products were flashed on cinema screens too quickly for audiences to be aware of them (subliminal). It was later revealed Packard made it up. Research that seeks to manipulate the public has obvious ethical implications. It also raises the question of who benefit from such research- which is particularly difficult to manage.
• Limitation: may be used for social control

  In the 1920s and 30s, a large number of US states enacted legislation that led to the compulsory sterilisation of many of its citizens. These people were judged to be 'feeble-minded' and a drain on society (e.g. those of low intelligence, drug/alcohol addicts and the mentally ill). Some psychologists argued they were 'unfit to breed'. The fact that socially sensitive research has been used to 'prop up' discriminatory practices in the past is an argument against its widespread adoption
• Limitation: costs and benefits may be difficult to predict

  Research that carries ethical implications (or is socially sensitive) is scrutinised by an ethical committee- it is their job to weigh up the costs and benefits of the research. However, some of the social consequences of research involving vulnerable groups may be difficult to anticipate. Assessments of the 'worth' of such research are typically subjective, and the real impact of research can only ever be known once it has been made public