socially sensitive issues

• what do Sieber and Stanley define as socially sensitive research? (AO1 INTRO)

  • studies that have potential consequences or implications
  • either directly to the participants, or the class of individuals represented by that research
  • this alerts psychologists to their responsibilities to wider society
• is socially sensitive research important to society?

  • although it can be problematic, it may be important as it gives voice to vulnerable members of society
  • it can help people in society understand areas of sensitivity
  • e.g. what it is like to experience abuse
• what is the issue?

  to ensure that such research is handled carefully
• problematic - social psych (AO1)

  • research may present findings that offend or divide people
  • e.g. findings may identify group-specific problems, make worrying predictions, or evoke strong feelings
  • may be evident in prejudice and obedience theories
• problematic - SIT and RCT (AO3)

  • supporting evidence that research may have negative implications
  • SIT and RCT could be said to justify prejudiced behaviour as an inevitable consequence of social and cultural groupings
  • Tajfel and Turner - negative outgroup bias results from a human need to maintain self esteem
  • therefore such research suggests that discriminatory behaviour is legitimate
• problematic - SIT and RCT - counter (AO3)

  • these theories do allow researchers to understand how human interactions occur and how to reduce prejudice
  • e.g. using superordinate goals in sherif’s study
• needed - to investigate impact of tech (AO1)

  • impact of media and technology has been the subject of research for many decades
  • it is important to understand the impact of them even if the outcomes may be sensitive
  • e.g. parents will be able to review or change the amount of screen time a child is subject to, based on research
• needed - bandura (AO3)

  • research into the effect of watching aggressive behaviour
  • shows that parenting is extremely important when it comes to teaching children how to behave
  • children repeated the aggressive behaviour after observing the adult that was rewarded for it
  • therefore socially sensitive research is needed so that parents are aware of the harmful effects of viewing violent behaviour towards others
• needed - bandura - counter (AO3)

  • problematic
  • parents may feel accused of being negligent or irresponsible for allowing their children to witness aggressive behaviour
  • increase of children’s exposure to screen time has been blamed not only for aggression but also a rise in eating disorders, depression, and anxiety
  • therefore parents may be made to feel responsible for the development of these disorders
• problematic - criminal responsibility (AO1)

  • important for researchers to consider the impact of findings in terms of criminal responsibility
  • some research could be used to reduce the blame associated with acts like murder
• problematic - raine (AO3)

  • he showed that murderers may not be entirely responsible for their actions
  • e.g. PET showed lower activity on the left of the amygdala in NGRIs compared to controls
  • therefore research into criminal responsibility could lead to juries believing that criminals are not responsible for their actions
• problematic - raine - counter (AO3)

  • still important even though it is sensitive
  • can lead to treatments which can reduce criminal behaviour in the future
  • if we can predict who might be a potential criminal, we can intervene in advance with anger management programmes
  • this is important as it has led to the development of treatments that can reduce criminal behaviour, thus benefitting the whole of society
  • e.g. hormone therapy
• needed - researching mental disorders (AO1)

  • despite there being many issues surrounding participant consent to research mental disorders, this research is still needed in order to find treatment options for all sufferers
• needed - SZ treatment (AO3)

  • some research helped to better understand the causes of hallucinations
  • this has led to the development of treatment
  • e.g. belief modification
  • patients are taught to challenge their hallucinations and delusions in order to minimise the extent to which they feel real
  • as a result, this reduces the hallucinations and delusions
• needed - SZ treatment - counter (AO3)

  • issue of informed consent must be considered
  • Rosenhan used pseudopatients who observed the staff without their consent
  • this is problematic as diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders is a sensitive area
  • quite severe judgements were being made about the staff members