ethical implications of research studies Flashcards
define ethical implications
The ethical implications concern the
wider impact that research may have
at a societal level
define socially sensitive research
Studies in which there are potential
consequences or implications, either directly
for the participants in the research or for the
class of individuals represented by them
give 2 areas of psychology that can be considered socially sensitive
(that you have studied)
attachment/role of the father
Research into the genetic basis of criminal
behaviour
what does Aronson say regarding socially sensitive research in psychology
Aronson believes we have a ‘social
responsibility’ to carry it out
what are the 3 implications for the research process identified by Sieber and Stanley
Implications for research process
Implications- wider effects of research should be
considered i.e. race and intelligence may give
credence to prejudice.
Uses/public policy- related to the idea that the
government may use research for political ends.
Validity of the research- some research has been
identified as subjective following research. Social
constructionist researchers are much more
upfront about their own biases.
what was the aim of the Tuskegee syphilis study
to see the effects of untreated syphilis
how many participants were in the Tuskegee syphilis study
408 African - American males with syphilis
what was the procedure of the Tuskegee syphilis study
perform examinations to determine effects syphilis had on body
told doctors to refuse treatment
participants were given a placebo drug, causing many of them to die
and autopsies were performed without consent
what is the research study we study involving ethical issues
Tuskegee Syphilis study
explain why bowlby’s research about the critical period is socially sensitive
. Bowlby’s monotropic attachment theory = Bowlby was an advisor to the World Health
Organisation in the 1950s, following his theory that the critical period for attachment
formation with the primary caregiver was the first 2 years of life, and maternal
deprivation during this time could have severe emotional and intellectual consequences
for the child i.e. affectionless psychopathy/criminality and mental retardation.
Therefore, this led to Britain being one of the only countries in the EU not offering free
childcare for children under the age of 5.
what is burt’s research and explain the wider implications on society
Burt’s research into intelligence = Burt (1955) fraudulently published research
demonstrating that the heritability coefficient for intelligence was 0.77, and so played a
significant part in the development of the 11+ examinations. Despite his work being
proven as false and fraudulent, the 11+ exams still exist to this day, as well as the idea
that children can be organised according to their ‘natural intelligence’ from an early
age.
