'Psych research has ethic societal costs + indiv pps' (25)

• Intro

  Psychological research has historically contributed to scientific knowledge and societal improvement but often raises ethical concerns involving harm to participants and potential negative impacts on society. While psychological research does involve ethical costs, these are generally outweighed by societal benefits and are increasingly managed through rigorous ethical guidelines.
• Para 1: societal benefits vs ethical costs

  • P: psychological research brings important benefits to society, often justifying ethical risks.

  • E: for example, research on psychoactive drugs has greatly improved mental health treatment and reduced economic costs, as shown by the McCrone Report (2008) estimating mental illness costs at £22.5 billion annually in England. Bowlby’s attachment research also transformed child care policies worldwide, promoting healthier development.

  • E: these advances have widespread positive effects, improving both individual lives and societal productivity. While some research may involve vulnerable participants, the overall benefits support continued ethical research.

  • L: therefore, the ethical costs to individuals are often balanced by substantial societal gains.
• Para 2: ethical harm to individual participants

  • P: some classic studies caused significant harm to participants, raising ethical concerns.

  • E: Watson and rayner’s (1920) Little Albert study deliberately induced fear in a child with no consent or debriefing, potentially causing lifelong damage. Milgram’s obedience study (1963) caused psychological distress to participants, though some gained insight.

  • E: these cases highlight how research can inflict real psychological harm, violating principles like informed consent and beneficence. However, such studies led to stricter ethical guidelines today to protect participants better

  • L: ethical costs to individuals remain a serious issue but are now better controlled to minimise harm
• Para 3: potential negative social consequences

  • P: psychological research can also negatively affect society through misuse or stigma.

  • E: Sieber and Stanley (1988) caution that socially sensitive research on race or sexuality might reinforce prejudice by giving scientific legitimacy to stereotypes

  • E: while avoiding such topics would limit understanding, psychologists must carefully manage risks and take responsibility for how findings are communicated to reduce harm.

  • L: thus, ethical costs to society exist but can be mitigated by responsible research and ethical oversight
• Para 4: ethical guidelines reduce and manage risk

  • P: ethical costs are now largely managed through professional standards and guidelines.

  • E: the British Psychological Society (BPS, 2009) outlines four core principles - respect, competence, responsibility, and integrity - to protect participants. The Canadian Psychological Society goes further, encouraging ethical decision-making through realistic dilemmas.

  • E: these frameworks encourage accountability and thoughtful conduct, reducing the likelihood of harm. While no system is perfect, the existence and enforcement of such guidelines mark significant progress.

  • L: therefore, although psychological research may pose ethical risks, modern regulation significantly reduces their frequency and severity.
• Conclusion

  In conclusion, while psychological research has historically involved ethical costs to individuals and society, these are increasingly recognised and mitigated through professional oversight. The benefits to societal wellbeing, economic productivity, and scientific knowledge typically outweigh these costs when research is conducted responsibly. Thus, I partly agree with the statement - ethical risks remain, but they are both manageable and necessary for meaningful progress