ethical implications and social sensitivity

what is social sensitivity?

consequences on ppt, social groups or social policy

what were the concerns when conducting socially sensitive research?

1. implications- wider effect of study eg prejudices
2. uses/public policy- what study used for what if its used for the wrong purpose
3. validity of the research- may be objective

how do you layout and application and discussion question?

COST- what are the negative implications

BENEFIT- what are the positive implications

VALIDITY- was research valid?

what is ethical implications

considers the impact or consequences that research has

how was bowlby’s study useful?

* child form an attachment within the critical period


* effect on future relationships and the internal working model.
* contributed to the dev of childcare practices and encouraged the view that a woman’s place is at home.

what did seiber and stanley propose

* idea of social sensitivity to describe studies like Milgram and Bowlby
* have potential social consequences for the ppts or group of people represented
* They identified several concerns eg prejudice, used for wrong purposes and validity

how did seiber and stanley deal with social sensitivity?

they came up with 4 considerations


1. research question shouldn’t be leading or imposing prejudice/ stereotypes
2. information should remain confidential
3. data should not be misused
4. findings should not have an impact on participants or groups of people the research represents.

limitation of ethical implications

COST AND BENEFIT DIFFICULT TO PREDICT

* An ethical committee weighs up the cost and benefits of the research.
* difficult to do with vulnerable groups without making the research public.
* ethical implications are hard to predict as findings may be misinterpreted, or applied in ways that spread prejudice/ discrimination of certain groups that were not originally intended
* e.g. IQ tests were used to stereotype black people as less intelligent.

limitation of social sensitivity

USED FOR SOCIAL CONTROL

* Eg in the 1920s, US law led to the compulsory sterilization of citizens who were judged to be ’feeble-minded’ and a drain on society.
* Psychologists supported this argument claiming they were unfit to breed.
* lead to issues of discrimination so some psychologists argue against this form of research.

strength of social sensitivity?

BENEFICIAL TO SOCIETY

* eg Research examining use of children in eyewitness testimony has found them to be reliable when questioned in an appropriate manner.


* In this context, socially sensitive research has resulted in strengthened relationships between psychologists and the legal system