Ethical implications - Examples of socially sensitive research Flashcards
(7 cards)
What is a piece of socially sensitive research in the attachment section?
Bowlby’s theories of monotropy and maternal deprivation
What did Bowlby’s theory suggest?
The mother has a unique role in providing care for infants.
Without this care infants will develop emotional,social and intellectual difficulties.
Why is this socially sensitive?
There is a gender double standard.
Putting pressure onto the mother to create a strong attachment to their babies while minimising the important of the role of the father.
Effects on society - Women sacrifice their careers to provide for the child resulting in the gender pay gap.
Personal choice - Male-led single parent families and single-gender families may feel they are unable to provide adequate care for their infants.
What is a piece of socially sensitive research for the biological approach in regard to the genetic basis of aggression and criminality?
The justice system depends on the concept of criminal responsibility. This can be challenged by the argument of inheriting criminal behaviour.
If this were true then there would be the implication of criminals not being fully responsible for their actions.
If judges accept this theory then criminals could use their biology to get out of a sentence and receive treatment instead.
This may affect the lives of victims/wider society as avoiding responsibility may be seen as allowing criminals to avoid justice.
What is a piece of socially sensitive research in the social influence section?
Why was it positive?
Milgram’s obedience research
Was a response to the high levels of obedience shown by the German public in WW2.
Before the study it was thought that they must have an obedient disposition.
Milgram’s research showed that most people are capable of extreme obedience if placed in the right situation.
Showed that viewing the ‘Germans as different’ was unhelpful/harmful stereotype.
What is a piece of socially sensitive research in the psychopathology section?
Defining Abnormality
The statistical infrequency definitions argues that behaviour that is rare in a population is abnormal.
An IQ of below 70 is a part of the diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability disorder.
The cut off point that psychologists have set is used by the medical profession to provide support and the legal system when considering sentences.
Why is the statistical infrequency in defining abnormality socially sensitive?
People that are just beyond the cut off point may have severe difficulties but will not receive the necessary support.
In the legal system they may receive a harsher sentence.
(Individual implication)
