Ethical implications of research and social sensitivity

Ethical issues

When there is a conflict between the rights of the participants and the researcher’s need to gain valuable and meaningful data.

Examples are informed consent, deception, and protection from harm

Ethical implications

These are the consequences or effects of psychological research, in terms of rights, for either the participants who took part or the wider public.

Examples are the impact the findings might have on public policy or the impact that being deceived might have on a participant.

Socially sensitive research

According to Sieber and Stanley, this is research where there are potential social consequences for the participants or the group of people represented by the research.

What aspects did Sieber and Stanley identified in the research that can raise ethical implications?

• Research questions: how we phrase questions can negatively impact groups (ex., race, homosexuality.)

• Conduct of research and treatment of participants: confidentiality and anonymity are important for Ps and relatives.

  Sometimes there are situations where researchers must break confidentiality to prevent further harm.

• The institutional (uni’s) context: who is funding the research and why? What would be beneficial for them?

• Interpretation and application of findings: The researcher needs to take responsibility in terms of how their research will be interpreted in society.

Ethical implications - Milgram

Milgram’s obedience research aimed to answer the question, 'Are Germans different?'

Participants were deceived into believing they were delivering electric shocks, causing high stress and seizures, and raising ethical concerns due to prejudice during WWII.

Could not withdraw as the researchers kept telling to go on.

Ethical implications - Bowlby attachment theory

Suggests children form a special bond with their mother during a critical period, which influences their future relationships.

This theory has influenced childcare practices but also gave the idea that a woman's place is at home with her children, potentially leading to making some mothers feel guilty.

Mothers' primary caregivers may affect fathers' involvement in childcare, potentially impacting their feelings of being less important, and single fathers are concerned about the negative impact of their absence.