SOCIALLY SENSITIVE RESEARCH

Question 1

Definition:

Answer 1

Research that has potential to have negative impact on specific groups of people or society generally.
Stigma, discrimination, exclusion.
Research seen as socially sensitive if it has wider (negative) implications either directly for ps in research or for class of individuals represented in research.

Question 2

Conducting socially sensitive research can ‘S.C.A.R’ :

Answer 2

Subject to social norms.
Controversial.
Able to shape the law/policy.
Risking stereotyping and prejudice.

Question 3

4 aspects of scientific research process that raise ethical implications in socially sensitive research:

Answer 3

1) The research question
2) The methodology used
3) The institutional context
4) Interpretation and application of findings

Question 4

The research question:

Answer 4

Researcher must consider research question carefully, asking Q’s like ‘are there racial differences in IQ?’ or ‘is intelligence inherited?’ may be damaging to members of a particular group.

Question 5

Methodology used:

Answer 5

Researcher needs to consider treatment of participant and right to confidentiality & anonymity.

Question 6

Institutional context:

Answer 6

Researcher should be mindful of how data is going to be used and consider who is funding the research.
If research funded by private institution or organisation why are they funding the research & how do they intend to use the findings?

Question 7

Interpretation and application of findings:

Answer 7

Researcher needs to consider how their findings might be interpreted and applied in real-world. Could their data/results be used to inform policy?

Question 8

Reasons FOR socially sensitive research (it should be done)

Answer 8

+ Some psychologists argue ignoring socially sensitive areas is abandoning our ‘social responsibilities’.
+ Not all socially sensitive research is controversial e.g Sperry.
+ Some is beneficial to society e.g Loftus & Palmer.
+ Useful in that can be used to shape public policy & effect social change.
+ Gain valuable insight into human behaviour, often investigates highly personal/private experiences.
+ Psychologists should be free to carry out whatever research important to them- if governments pass laws prohibiting certain kinds of research- danger that research will be stopped for political rather than ethical reasons.

Question 9

Reasons against socially sensitive research (Problems)

Answer 9

• Interest of the participants taking part.
• Indirect impact on the ps family & co-workers.
• How findings may be used by other people or institutions to form and/or shape public social policy.
• Harm to people and marginalised groups who are largely excluded from the research e.g those with disabilities, elderly, poor etc…
• Some psychologists suggest we should avoid research into socially sensitive topics including race, gender and sexuality.
• Ethical issues raised.
• Difficult to replicate due to sensitive nature.
• Controversial topics may produce findings that could lead to discrimination against groups/individuals.

Question 10

Comparing socially sensitive research with Free will/Determinism:

Answer 10

Deterministic explanations can lead to socially sensitive research as they suggest there is clear cause for behaviour, this can lead to labelling & discrimination, may remove personal responsibility.

Question 11

Comparing socially sensitive research with Nature/Nurture:

Answer 11

Lots of socially sensitive research is about genetic basis of behaviour- Nature side.

Question 12

Comparing socially sensitive research with Reductionism/Holism:

Answer 12

Reductionist as often socially sensitive research focuses on specific trait e.g sex or race, as cause of a behaviour.

Question 13

Comparing socially sensitive research with Individual/ Situational:

Answer 13

Danger of attributing cause of behaviour to individual factors- could lead to socially sensitive research as implications of findings could suggest person’s race, age, gender or disability cause behaviours.
Can cause social stigma and discrimination.

Question 14

Usefulness of socially sensitive research:

Answer 14

Often socially sensitive research has useful applications, but validity of research can be questioned.

Question 15

Ethics:

Answer 15

Socially sensitive research often causes psychological harm.

Question 16

Psych as a science:

Answer 16

Research must try be scientific if it is trusted and to reduce implications of socially sensitive research such as incorrect interpretations of data.

Question 17

Socially sensitive studies

Answer 17

Freud
Hancock
Gould
Baron-Cohen