Ethical Implications

Question 1

What are the ethical implications?

Answer 1

Rights to withdraw
Deception
Protection from harm
Debriefing
Informed consent
Confidentiality

When doing psychology do it correctly

Question 2

How would you overcome a lack of informed consent?

Answer 2

Researchers could gain presumptive consent (group similar to the pts give consent so we could assume that pts would consent), prior general consent (pts give general permission to take part in a number of studies, some involving deception) or retrospective consent (consent at debrief at the end of the study at which point they can withdraw their results).

Question 3

How would you overcome deception?

Answer 3

Pts should be fully debriefed, where the aims of the study, deceptions and any reasons for deception are revealed. At this stage, pts should be given the right to withdraw their data.

Question 4

How would you overcome a lack of protection from harm?

Answer 4

In the debriefing, pts should be reassured about their performance in the study, and offered counselling if appropriate.

Question 5

What are ethical implications?

Answer 5

The impact that psychological research may have in terms of the rights of people who are participating in the research.
The impact on wider society:
Influencing of public policy
The way certain social groups are treated

Question 6

What are parts of the research process that could bring about social consequences?

Answer 6

Sieber and Stanley:
The research question
Conduct of research and treatment of pts
The institutional context
Interpretation and application of findings

Question 7

What are social consequences of the research question?

Answer 7

Asking a research question may be damaging to members of a particular racial group or sexual orientation because it appears to add scientific credibility to prevailing prejudice.

Question 8

What are the social consequences of the conduct of research and treatment of pts?

Answer 8

Consider pts right to confidentiality and anonymity. For example, id someone admits to committing a crime, should the researcher maintain confidentiality? They should also keep in mind whether the cost of the research outweighs the benefits.

Question 9

What are the social consequences of the institutional context?

Answer 9

The researcher should be mindful of how the data is going to be used and who is funding the research (private institution or organisation), why they are funding it and how they use the findings.

Question 10

What are the social consequences of the interpretation and application of findings?

Answer 10

Researcher needs to consider how their findings might be interpreted and applied in the real world. Could the results inform policy, social attitudes or lead to further research on the same topic

Question 11

What are ethical issues in socially sensitive research?

Answer 11

Valid methodology
Confidentiality
Informed consent
Ownership of data
Risk/benefit ratio

Question 12

Valid methodology in relation to socially sensitive research?

Answer 12

Researchers may be aware of poor methodology but the public and media may not, so poor studies may shape important social policy to the detriment of those groups represented by the research

Question 13

Confidentiality in relation to socially sensitive research?

Answer 13

Pts may be less willing to divulge information in the future if confidentiality is breached and further related research would be compromised.

Question 14

Informed consent in relation to socially sensitive research?

Answer 14

Potentially pts may not also comprehend what is involved

Question 15

Ownership of data in relation to socially sensitive research?

Answer 15

Some of the problems with determining ownership involves the sponsorship of research

Question 16

Risk/benefit ratio in relation to socially sensitive research?

Answer 16

This is made even more difficult when research findings are unexpected and the cost/benefits of research are only realised after the research has been conducted.

Question 17

What is meant by ethical implications of research and theory?

Answer 17

The impact that psychological research may have in terms of the rights of people participating in the research and the impact on wider society.

Question 18

What is meant by research being socially sensitive?

Answer 18

Research into taboo topics such as race, sexuality or gender which result in potential consequences to those involved and wider society

Question 19

What are the potential implications of socially sensitive research?

Answer 19

Potential use of findings
Potential bias against people of certain cultures or economic backgrounds
Potential use of findings
Influence on moral attitudes towards individuals and ethnic groups
Economic implications
Effects of research on pts
Effects of publication on wider public

Question 20

What are the potential use of findings of SSR?

Answer 20

Poor studies may shape important social policy to the detriment of those groups represented by the research

Question 21

What is the potential bias against people of certain cultures or economic backgrounds in SSR?

Answer 21

This could lead to targeting of these groups ie Van Ijzendoorn- cross cultural study about attachment types of Japanese children incorrectly identified as Insecure - resistant due to lack of cultural awareness, but view of Japanese upbringing could be affected and lead to prejudice

Question 22

What is the potential findings: allocations of research in SSR?

Answer 22

Whomever funds the research may have a desired outcome so there may be pressure on researchers to supply this outcome/ funding can be withdrawn if findings of research are used inappropriately so academic institutions need to be mindful of this.

Question 23

What is the influence of moral attitudes towards individuals and ethnic groups in SSR?

Answer 23

Impact on groups such a male same sex couples wanting to adopt children if it is suggested by research into the role of the father that fathers are not as sensitive to nurturing needs of infants- this could lead to people suggesting is it morally wrong for them to adopt then.

Question 24

What are the economic implications of SSR?

Answer 24

Sometimes, a party commissions research with their own interests in mind (e.g. an industry, an advertising agency, a political party, the military). Some people argue that scientists should be compelled to disclose their results so that other scientists can re-analyse them.

Question 25

What are the effects on the participants in the SSR?

Answer 25

Distress, harm, embarrassment such as in Milgram’s study - this made the Ps feel very upset about their own behaviour and how they were then seen by their own families/community .

Question 26

What are the effects of publishing on the wider public in SSR?

Answer 26

Prejudice /discrimination/targeting of these groups as publications can suggest research is accurate and valid even if it may not be so could be used as evidence by the wider public in the wrong way

Question 27

How could Bowlby’s monotropic theory be considered as ss?

Answer 27

The idea that a child needs a continuous relationship with a mother figure in the first 2.5 years of life in order to develop normally. Disruption to this bond through separation from the mother figure can have a negative effect on later social, emotional and intellectual development so mothers were wholly responsible for their child’s psychological health.

Question 28

How could Milgram’s research be considered socially sensitive?

Answer 28

Pts were deceived and not protected from psychological distress, as they actually thought they were giving electric shocks.

Question 29

How could the role of the father be considered as socially sensitive?

Answer 29

Puts all of the childcare responsibilities on mothers and fathers may not get paternal leave. Implies same sex couples will not be able to raise a child.

Question 30

How could psychologists deal with potentially socially sensitive research?

Answer 30

Submit research proposals to ethics committees and abide by any recommendations
Weigh up the possible costs and benefits before conducting any research. Only proceed where the benefits (to many) outweigh the costs (to a few)
Take care when formulating the aim/framing the question so as not to misrepresent certain groups
Be alert to the possibility of misuse of findings and take steps to present findings in a value-free way so publish results with discretion and perhaps a carefully worded introduction.
Consider the wider effects of publication of the findings eg Sieber and Stanley’s recommendations as part of the peer review process
Take steps to avoid prejudicial/biased/sensational media presentation of findings
Consider the possible reactions of participants to any research procedure they experience and take account of ethical issues in the design of any studies

Question 31

Why should researchers conduct SSR?

Answer 31

Some psychologists argue that ignoring socially sensitive areas is abandoning our ‘social responsibilities’ to find out aspects of human behaviour that propel knowledge forwards.
Psychologists should be free to carry out whatever research is important to them because if governments start passing laws to prohibit certain kinds of research, then there is a danger that research will be stopped for political rather than for ethical reasons.
Not all socially sensitive research is controversial and can be beneficial to society and change misconceptions, reduce prejudice and raise awareness.

Question 32

Why shouldn’t researchers conduct SSR?

Answer 32

Direct or Indirect impact on both the P’s themselves and the participant’s family, wider group they belong to leading to discrimination, prejudice and negative wider impact
How the findings may be used by other people or institutions to form and/or shape public social policy that could have serious and long term consequences.
Psychologists may not be able to judge the possible impact of SSR even if a cost benefit analysis is done as sometimes unexpected results may surface that could cause harm, so it is hard to justify SSR if we can never be certain of the impact

Question 33

ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS The wider impact of research should be considered before it begins

Answer 33

SSR can impact whole groups of people so psychologists need to consider the wider indirect repercussions their research can have. Schizophrenic psychological explanation blamed the mother for inducing children to develop SZ due to their parenting. This had a negative effect on their reputations as mothers. Also reduces treatments as researchers could have missed neurochemical reasons.

Question 34

ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS - The cost benefit analysis can help reveal the long term benefit of SSR?

Answer 34

Can help reduce prejudice against certain groups which would benefit society and its understanding. Research into individuals in the LGBTQ+ community can challenge misconceptions and reduce prejudice. Therefore it can benefit society at large, researchers just need to be careful how it is used.

Question 35

ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS - There is a school of thought that suggests we should not shy away from potentially offensive research

Answer 35

Just because research is socially sensitive does not mean it shouldn’t be conducted. Research should be done to raise issues identified within these groups. This can help to increase understanding of sensitive topics which leads to additional help.
Therefore it is a psychologists duty to investigate sensitive issues.

Question 36

ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS - It could be suggested that more engagement with the public and policy makers are needed

Answer 36

Psychologists should be aware that their research has the potential to be misused, which leads to discrimination. Psychologists should takes responsibility for the presentation of their findings to ensure their research is disseminated properly. This ensures findings can be communicated properly. Use Bowlby’s monotropic theory as an example.