Ethical implications

• ethical implications 


  the impact that psychological research may have in terms of the rights of other people
• social sensitivity 


  studies in which there are potential consequences or implications either directly for participants or for the class of individuals represented
• potential negative effects of research

  -> reinforcing damaging stereotypes

  -> findings may concern members of the public

  -> self-fulfilling prophecies e.g. reading research can impact behaviour
• who may be affected by research?

  • participants in the research
  • researchers / the research institution
  • sub-cultures and sub-groups
• Sieber and Stanley research processes

  • the research question
  • the methodology used
  • the institutional context
  • interpretation and application of findings
• Attachment ethical implications examples

  Bowlby's theory of attachment: encourages the idea that a woman's place is at home to look after children -> can cause guilt
• Psychopathology ethical implications examples

  definitions of abnormality: can effect those with eccentric behaviours -> discrimination

  genetic explanation for OCD: could cause genetic screening eliminating embryos with OCD
• Social influence ethical implications examples

  Milgram's 1963 research: participants were deceived and unable to fully give consent -> distress, slightly forced to continue against their will
• Gender ethical implications examples


  Gender dysphoria research: already vulnerable individuals -> could cause genetic screening
• Stress ethical implications examples

  stress responses: theory of differences in genders continues stereotypes -> implications in societal views
• Addiction ethical implications examples

  genetic explanation for addiction: individual isn't deemed responsible -> implications in treatment, genetic engineering

  treatments: addicts are 'incapable' of taking ownership of recovery
• strengths of ethical implications

  BPS code of ethics require ethical implications to have been considered prior to research; it is important to conduct socially sensitive research to have representative samples - could reduce prejudice; some socially sensitive research is desirable and beneficial to society
• weaknesses of ethical implications

  wider impact of research is not required to be considered; it can be difficult to foresee effects of research