Ethical Implications

Question 1

Socially sensitive research should not be avoided

Answer 1

– It can be argued that the sensitive
nature of some research means it is tempting to avoid it altogether; however, it is important to recognise the advantages of research into ethically questionable areas.
Socially sensitive research starts a discussion which may previously have been avoided in the mainstream media. For example, the scientific condition pre menstrual syndrome is often a topic for debate. This has brought to the limelight how women’s feelings are often medicalised and then disregarded. This new discussion which has occurred, due to socially sensitive research, has allowed psychologists to be more careful when determining gender differences. This demonstrates that even though Socially Sensitive Research can be uncomfortable it is important that it be carried out to spark debate.

Question 2

Misunderstanding of findings by the general public –

Answer 2

One issue with conducting socially
sensitive research is the findings may be misunderstood by the public. Sieber & Stanley (1988) argue that socially sensitive research, by its nature, is often high profile, attracting the attention of the public & therefore there are implications if the results are misunderstood. Correlatory research findings are particularly vulnerable to misuse but unfortunately these incorrect deductions often sound convincing to the public. E.g. Hazan & Shaver’s Love quiz found that insecurely attached people found adult relationships more difficult, tended to divorce, and believed love was rare. This is socially sensitive insofar as the original research only suggested a relationship between early attachment type and
later relationships; however, the general public may assume that there is a causal relationship and that having an insecure attachment as a child makes one doomed to have difficult relationships in adulthood. This demonstrates how Psychologists should be mindful of the way in which their research findings may be misunderstood.

Question 3

Socially sensitive research can negatively shape public policy

Answer 3

A limitation of ethically questionable research is that it can negatively shape public policy. For example, Bowlby’s research into Attachment and Maternal Deprivation saw him become an advisor for the World Health Organisation in the early 1950s. Bowlby’s argument that mother love in infancy is as important for mental health as vitamins for physical health influenced the way in which at least a generation of children were raised and it may have also influenced the UK government’s decision not to offer free child places to children under five (despite the fact that this is typical in other European countries). This resulted in feminist writers being critical of Bowlby’s research and its ethical implications that day care could be damaging for a child. This demonstrates how psychological research can have a long- lasting effect on people’s lives by changing public policy, and psychologists should consider
this when publishing their findings.