Ethical Implications

• Ethical implications= the potential consequences or repercussions of the research or theory, to a wider context, ie not just the participants of the study.
• Social Sensitivity:

  • Sometimes psychologists study areas that are socially sensitive & there are ethical implications of such research.
  • Sieber & Stanley (1988) first described socially sensitive research.
  • It refers to psychological research in which there are potential consequences for the individuals involved, or specific social groups- this could be implications in the way they are viewed, or how they are treated, in some cases it could be used to reinforce stereotypes or prejudice.
• Lee & Renzetti (1993) identified areas where sensitive research can be seen as threatening:

  1. Where research intrudes into the private sphere or delves deeply into some personal experience (eg sexual practices).
  2. Where the study is concerned with deviance that may incriminate or stigmatise (drug use).
  3. Where the study undermines the dominance of powerful persons (government), potentially creating civil unrest (eg policing during riots).
  4. Where the research deals with things that are sacred to those being studied (eg religious beliefs).
• Example of socially sensitive research:

  • Gould (1981) looked at the IQ test used to assess US army recruits in WW1.
  • The tests contained questions that favoured the indigenous, white population.
  • European immigrants (particularly those from Southern Europe), had IQ scores below white Americans, and African-Americans (who had typically been denied education), were lowest of all.
  • These results had a profound effect on the attitudes held by Americans & led to enduring stereotypes regarding intelligence in certain ethnic groups.
  • Research has been used to perpetuate stereotypical assumptions & validate discrimination.
• Example of socially sensitive theory:

  • Bowlby (1956) developed the attachment theory, which centred around the necessity for continuous, sensitive care from the mother.
  • It could be argued that this would not only put pressure on mothers by making them feel guilt or shame if they decided to work, but also could be used in social control of women, by trying to keep them at home and out of the workplace.
  • Could also be said to have a detrimental effect on the role of fathers, as they were seen as secondary to mothers in terms of childcare.
• How to address social sensitivity:

  • Research proposals should be vetted by ethics committees- this is a group of experts who should scrutinise the planned research and allow it to proceed only where the benefits (to many) outweigh the costs (to a few)
• Sieber & Stanley (1988) identified 4 aspects within the research process that should be considered by ethics committees:

  1. The research question- take care when formulating the aim/ framing the question.
  2. How the research is conducted- consider how confidentiality will be maintained.
  3. The institutional context- how credible the research facility is or the institution finding the research.
  4. How the findings are used- be alert to the possibility of misuse of findings & take steps to present findings in a value-free way & take steps to avoid prejudicial/ biased/ sensational media presentation of findings.
• Evaluation of ethical implications- weakness:

  • Socially sensitive research should not go ahead if it has the potential to fuel prejudice & discrimination.
  • There are many examples of research which has has negative social implications, such as research into race & intelligence in the USA being part of long-term racial division- this may mean banning certain types of research.
• Evaluation of ethical implications- weakness:

  • There is a lack of clear guidance for researchers on how to deal with potential social sensitivity.
  • The BPS guidelines do not adequately deal with implications for wider society, which is obviously very different from the strict guidelines regarding the needs of their immediate PPs (eg deception & confidentiality).
  • If the issue of social sensitivity is not monitored, then it is unlikely to be adequately controlled, and it should not be down to individuals.
• Evaluation of ethical implications- :/:

  • We cannot merely avoid socially sensitive research because it may have negative implications.
  • There are important research questions around sexuality, race, addiction etc, and if we excluded these topics of research entirely, then we risk ignorance to highly revealing findings & undermining the value of the field of psychology.
  • Indicates that socially sensitive research not only needs to continue, but that it is often the most important research.