ethical implications

• Ethical implications


  considers the impact or consequences that psychological research has on the rights of other people in a wider context, not just the participants taking part in the research.
• What were ethical implications of a research study?

  Milgram- The participants weredeceived, they were unable to provide fullyinformed consent. The experiment wasdistressing.

  However, they weredebriefedand took part in a follow-up interview. Participants said that they suffered no long-term effects.Therefore, it could be argued that the importance of the findings did justify the way the research was conducted, as the research is useful to society in determining the factors that affect obedience to authority.
• what is a theory which has ethical implications?

  Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment suggests that children form one special attachment bond, usually with their mother, which must take place within acritical period.

  Bowlby also suggested that this attachment bond affects their future relationships through aninternal working model.While Bowlby’s theory has contributed to the development of childcare practices, it has also encouraged the view that a women’s place is at home with her children, which could make some mothers feel guilty for wanting to return to work, following childbirth.
• social sensitivity


  Sieber and Stanley (1988) define socially sensitive research as, 'studies in which there are potential consequences or implications, either directly for the participants in the research or for the class of individuals represented by the research'.
• how is milgram and bowlby socially sensitive

  It could be argued that Milgram’s research is socially sensitive as the results could be used to ensure that people obey orders, including those they don’t wish to follow.Likewise, it could be argued that Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment is socially sensitive as it could be used to coerce mothers to stay at home and look after their children.
• how to ensure there is no social senitivity?

  •The researcher must consider theirresearch questioncarefully. Asking questions like ‘Are there racial differences in IQ?’ or ‘Is intelligence inherited?’ may be damaging to members of a particular group.

  •MethodologyThe researcher needs to consider the treatment of the participant's and their right toconfidentialityandanonymity.For example, if someone admits to committing a crime, should the researcher maintain confidentiality?

  •Institutional research-The researcher should be mindful of how the data is going to be used and consider who is funding the research. If the research is funded by a private institution or organisation, why are they funding the research and how do they intend to use the findings?

  •Finally, the researcher needs to consider how their findings might beinterpreted and appliedin the real-world. Could their data or results be used to inform policy?
• How has social sensitivity influenced society

  §Cyril Burtused studies of identical twins to support his view that intelligence is largely genetic.§His views greatly influenced theHadow Report (1926)which led to the creation of the 11+ which was used from 1944-1976.§This meant that generations of children were affected by the 11+ exam.§However, it later transpired that his data was falsified.
• what is the issues of discrimination evaluation of social sensitivity

  Socially sensitive research can lead to issues of discrimination and therefore some psychologists would argue against conducting this form of research.

  For example, between 1907 and 1963, over 64,000 individuals were forcibly sterilised under eugenic legislation in the United States, and in 1972, the United States Senate Committee revealed that at least 2,000 involuntary sterilisations had been performed on poor black women without their consent or knowledge.

  This could be 'justified' by (flawed) research findings (e.g. Robert Yerkes) which argued that black Americans had lower IQ scores in comparison to white Americans, highlighting a serious issue with socially sensitive research.
• what is the real world application evaluation of social sensitivity (EWT)

  It is important to recognise that not all socially sensitive research is controversial and some is desirable and beneficial to society.

  For example, research examining eye-witness testimony, especially the use of child witnesses (e.g. Flin et al.) has found that young children can be reliable witnesses if they are questioned in a timely and appropriate manner.

  In this area, socially sensitive research has resulted in a good working relationship between psychologists and the legal profession to help improve the accuracy and validity of children eye-witnesses.