13. Ethical Implications Of Research Studies And Theory AO1 Flashcards
Why do ethical issues arrive
Due to conflict
What are the conflicting factors that create ethical issues
- Psychology’s need for valid and valuable research
2. Preserving he rights and dignity of participants
What can researchers do?
Control the methods they used and how they treat participants
What is socially sensitive research
There are potential social implications, either directly for the participant in research or the class of individuals represented by the research
Give the types of implications that may be caused
- Research investigating genetic basis of criminality might have far-reaching consequences for those who take part or for the broader social groups that participants represent
- Studies that tackle socially sensitive taboo topics such as race attract attention from the public
What should psychologists not do
Should not avoid this type of research because of the importance, psychologists may have a responsibility to carry it out
What are the concerns for socially sensitive research identified by Sieber and Stanley?
Implications, public policy and validity
Explain implications
Some studies may give scientific status to prejudice and discrimination
Explain uses/public policy
What would happen if it was used for the wrong purpose? Findings may be adopted by the government for political ends or to shape public policy
Explain the validity of the research
Some findings presented as objective in the past turned out to be fraudulent
What did Burt’s research on IQ lead to
Consequences for U.K. Schoolchildren
Who was Burt
A leading psychologist influential in establishing the 11+ examinations in the U.K.
What was Burt’s work used for?
To decide whether children could go to grammar school based on their natural intelligence - significant impact on life opportunities
What was Burt’s view
Intelligence is genetic - based on his studies of twins showing a heritability coefficient of +77
What was found about Burt’s research
Discrepancies in the data showed he made much of the data up, and invented two research assistants - he was publicly discredited but 11+ remained for many years
