ethical implications and social sensitivity

ethical implications

• the impact or consequences psychological research/theory has on the ps and the rights of other people in a wider context.

• DRIPP - deception, right to withdraw, informed consent, protection from harm, privacy.

ethical implications of research studies (examples)

• Milgram:

  • ps highly deceived - unable to give fully informed consent.

  • methodology caused distress and ps did not feel they could withdraw.

  • results may have affected them - difficult to accept that they obeyed authority with the potential to cause someone harm.

• Zimbardo:

  • extreme observable psychological harm to the extent that research had to be stopped early because of psychological distress of prisoners.

  • guards may have felt distress after experiment due to their behaviour and the abuse of prisoners.

ethical implications of theory (examples)

• Bowlby:

  • argues that women’s role is to be primary caregiver - guilt for returning to work.

  • negative implications on fathers who may be discouraged to be primary caregiver - concern over ability to form attachments - discriminatory over single fathers or same-sex parents.

social sensitivity - Sieber and Stanley (1988)

• defined socially sensitive as where there are potential consequences for ps or group of people represented:

  1. research question - must consider question carefully, e.g. ‘are there racial differences in IQ?’ or ‘is intelligence inherited?’ may be damaging.

  2. methodology used - need to consider treatment of ps and right to confidentiality and anonymity, e.g. if someone admits to committing crime should researcher maintain confidentiality?

  3. institutional context - should be mindful of how data is used and who is funding research, e.g. if funded by private institution or organisation, why are they funding and how will they use findings?

  4. interpretation and application of findings - must consider how findings may be interpreted and applied in real life.

socially sensitive research - forensics - Raine et al

• used brain scans of violent criminals to examine level of impulse control.

• found damage to most areas of brain focused around frontal lobe specialising in impulse control.

• suggest children should have brain scans to identify predispositions for offending → children, parents and general society feel unease as to what to do with the knowledge of this child.

• could support genetic engineering to avoid criminal genes being transmitted → highly socially sensitive.

• sensitive legal implications as supports determinist view that individual is not responsible for criminal act and violent crimes - may not lead to convictions.

discussion - socially sensitive - discrimination

• Bowlby’s maternal deprivation - discrimination towards primary caregiver fathers/two fathers - anxiety and concern for ability to form attachments.

• enhances stigma around mothers who return to work with children in childcare.

• should consider wider implications of research not just before but after publication - could involve psychologists engaging more actively with the media and with policy makers after publication.

discussion - socially sensitive - reduces prejudice and challenges misconceptions

• can reduce prejudice through challenging misconceptions and aiding advancement in psychology.

• highlighting implications - psychologists able to safeguard ps and family and consider wider implications on society.

• some socially sensitive research may benefit society:

  • e.g. investigating cause of gender identity disorder - ethical implications as may be sensitive to ps.

  • however → avoiding study of vulnerable or underrepresented groups is detrimental as research may promote greater sensitivity and understanding → helps reduce prejudice and stigma.

socially sensitive - usefulness

• conclusions can impact policy and practice to benefit society.

  • e.g. research into unreliability of EWT and role of anxiety in EWT reduced risk of unfair justice.

• research can be used by government and other organisations to positively shape policy.

  • e.g. research into the role of same-sex parents and role of the father in attachment → recent introduction of paternity leave and introduction of father skin-to-skin contact with babies after birth.