ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS

• ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS 


  the impact or consequences that psychological research may have on the participants and also the way in which the findings are communicated to the public and society.
• SOCIAL SENSITIVITY


   research is socially sensitive when it has potentially negative consequences for groups represented in the research.  These can lead to prejudice and discrimination, social change policies etc.
• Ethical issues apply to all psychological research, however, some areas of research have greater social sensitivity than others.
• COST / BENEFIT ANALYSIS 


  conflict between need to gain valid findings and preserve the rights and dignities of the participant.

  • Effects of research on participants and the wider community.
  • Political consequences - changes in legislation
  • Potential bias/moral attitudes towards people of certain cultures/socioeconomic backgrounds/minority groups.
  • Economic implications - funding for further psychological research.
• Psychologists have a responsibility to carry out research, especially if it has a wider impact.  However, there are concerns to be mindful of;

  • the participant - friends and family may also be affected
  • the researcher - consequences of subsequent work at the institution
  • groups - subcultures, sub-groups, ethnic minorities, political beliefs
• (+) SOCIALLY SENSITIVE RESEARCH

  is the importance of raising the public profile of minority groups and educating society.  To avoid research into homosexuality, race, gender, addiction etc, because the findings may have negative consequences for the participant or wider society is not a responsible approach to science.  This suggests that avoiding controversial topics is an avoidance of responsibility and psychologists have a duty to conduct such research.
• (+) SOCIALLY SENSITIVITY RESEARCH

  Benefits to society = studies of underrepresented groups and issues may promote a greater sensitivity and understanding, which can reduce prejudice and encourage acceptance.

  LINK - any e.g. of interventions can be used OR any topic studied i.e. Bowlby, Bandura.  Research into the unreliability of EWT, has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice within the legal system and lead to the development of the cognitive interview, definitions of abnormality..
• (+) SOCIALLY SENSITIVE RESEARCH 


  REAL LIFE APPLICATIONS =

  Engaging with the public and policymakers - In order to reduce the likelihood of misuse of data, psychologists should be energetic in taking responsibility for what happens to their findings.  It is important part of the research process to promote research in a socially sensitive way.  The BPS has stringent guidelines in place to protect people and it also has a press centre which aims to promote evidence-based psychological research to the media.
• (-) SOCIALLY SENSITIVE RESEARCH 


  SOCIAL CONTROL =

  In America in the 1920s and 30s, a large number of US states enacted legislation that led to the compulsory sterilisation of many citizens on the grounds they were ‘feeble-minded’ (low intelligence, drug addicts and the mentally ill). 
• (-) SOCIALLY SENSITIVE RESEARCH

  THE WAY QUESTIONS ARE PHRASED AND INVESTIGATED CAN LEAD TO BIAS = KITZINGER + COYLE found so-called ‘alternative relationships’ have been guilty of a form of ‘heterosexual bias’, within which homosexual relationships were compared and judged against heterosexual norms.  This suggests that investigators must approach their research with an open mind to avoid misrepresenting minority groups.