ethical implications and social sensitivity

Ethical guidelines

The correct rules of guidance necessary when carrying out research outlined by the BPS (British psychological society) or APA (American psychiatric association) in psychology

Ethical issues

When the rights of the participants and the aims of the researchers to produce valid results are in conflict (e.g. deception)

Ethical implications

Consider the impact or consequences of psychological research or theories on the rights of the participants and the other people in a wider context

Ethical implications of research studies- Milgram

• Milgram’s research has several ethical issues as participants in his research were deceived and were unable to give fully informed consent

• The research methodology caused distress and ps did not feel as if they could withdraw

• Ps were debriefed afterwards and there were follow up interviews HOWEVER the results of this research may have affected ps because they may have found the fact that they obeyed authority with the potential to cause another individual harm difficult to accept

Ethical implications of research studies- Zimbardo

• Highly unethical due to distress caused for the participants

• The observable psychological harm experienced was so extreme that the research had to be stopped early as a result distress presented by the participants who were in the role of prisoner

• Guards may also have felt distress after the experiment due to the nature of the behaviour they demonstrated and the abuse they subjected the participants to

Ethical implications of theory- Bowlby

• Bowlby’s theory of attachment and monotropy suggests that children form one special attachment bond and this is usually with the mother.

• This attachment must be formed within a critical period (2yrs)

• Bowlby also suggested that this can form an internal working model for future relationships

• This has ethical implications as it argues that a woman’s role is to be the primary caregiver in the home which may make women feel guilty for wanting to or returning to work

• This may also have implications for fathers who may feel discouraged to be the primary caregiver or this may cause single parent fathers concern over their ability to form attachments

Social sensitivity

Siebler and Stanley used the term to describe studies where there are potential social consequences for the participants, or the group of people represented by or related to the research

4 things the researcher must consider to ensure research is not socially sensitive

1. The research question- must consider carefully. Asking questions like ‘are there racial differences in IQ?’ Or ‘ is intelligence inherited?’ May be damaging to members of a particular group

2. The methodology used - researcher need to consider the treatment of the ps and their right to confidentiality and anonymity, e.g. if someone admits to committing a crime or having unprotected sex if they are HIV positive should researcher maintain confidentiality?

3. The institutional context- researcher should be mindful of how the data is going to be used and consider who is funding the research- if funded by a private organisation/institution: why are they funding the research and how do they intend to use the findings?

4. Interpretation and application of findings - researcher need to consider bow findings may be interpreted and applied in real world

Socially sensitive research - Raine

• Raine et al’s research uses brain scans of violent criminals to examine their level of impulse control

• Raine found that there was damage to most areas of their brains, focussed around the frontal lobe which specialises in impulse control

• This research could be seen as socially sensitive because findings may be interpreted in a way that suggests that children should have brain scans to identify a predisposition for offending behaviour

• Children, their parents and general society may feel uneasy as to what to do with the knowledge that a child or children have a predisposition to violent, criminal behaviour

• This could lead to support for genetic engineering to avoid criminal genes being transmitted which is highly socially sensitive

• It could also have sensitive legal implications as the theory supports a determinist view in that the individual is not seen as culpable in a criminal act and violent crimes could thus not lead to convictions

AO3- socially sensitive research could lead to discrimination

P- can have negative implications on members of society

E- e.g. Bowlby’s maternal deprivation hypothesis - attachment with primary caregiver is usually with mother

Negative implications on society-

• cause or increase levels of discrimination towards fathers who are primary caregivers or single parents- and cause them to feel anxiety and concern about their ability to form attachments

• Could enhance stigma around working mothers who return to work and place children in childcare

E- solution- psychologists need to consider the wider implications of their research not just prior to but after publication

L- could involve psychologists engaging more actively with the media and with policy makers after publication to reduce negative implications

AO3- socially sensitive research could reduce prejudice

P- socially sensitive research could reduce prejudice through challenging misconceptions and aiding advancements in psychology

E- through highlighting the potential implications of research and theory psychologists are able to potentially safeguard the participants and their family and are able to consider the wider implications of their research on society. This awareness has greatly improved and is undoubtedly important

E- HOWEVER, it is also important that psychologists are able to conduct socially sensitive research that may have the potential to benefit society.

E.g. studies investigating the causes of gender identity disorder (GID)- could be deemed as having ethical implications - may be sensitive to ps

L - avoiding the study underrepresented or marginalised groups ( e.g. those with GID )may be detrimental as research into these topics may actually present a greater sensitivity and understanding (e.g. of gender) - reduce prejudice and stigma

AO3 - socially sensitive research may be useful and benefit society

P- often investigations into socially sensitive research topics provide conclusions that are highly useful and which can directly impact policy and practice to benefit society

E- e.g. research into the unreliability of eyewitness testimony and the role of anxiety in EWT has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice, for example through development of the cognitive interview

E- also socially sensitive research can be used by the government and other organisations to positively shape policy. E.g research into the role of the father in attachment has contributed to the relatively recent introduction of paternity leave for fathers and the introduction of father skin on skin contact with their baby shortly after birth.

L- demonstrates importance and usefulness in conducting socially sensitive research in psychology