Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk Research that has implications that extend beyond the PPs used in the study, during the study For the participants For the group they represent

Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk People potentially affected include: The participants themselves (beyond the study) People close to them (e.g. family, friends, colleagues) The social group from which they were drawn (e.g. ethnic, cultural) The researchers & their institution

Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk Researchers need to be cautious because: SSR has the potential to affect the lives of many people By its nature, it attracts the attention of psychologists, media & the public – so often high profile

Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk Lee (1993) SSR is that which contains an element of threat or risk Topics that are private, stressful or sacred Potential for exposure of incriminating or stigmatising info

Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk Sieber & Stanley (1988) Research can become SSR for many reasons including: The research question Treatment of pps The institutional context Interpretation and use of findings

Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk Examples include: Hamer (1993) – ‘The Gay Gene’ Raine (1996) – ‘Killer Babies’ Lowney (1995) – ‘Teenage Satanists Humphreys (1970) – ‘The Tea Room’

Views on SSR SSR can have major consequences for researchers e.g.: www.psychlotron.org.uk SSR can have major consequences for researchers e.g.: Negative media exposure Conflict with colleagues Loss of position/job Threats from extremist groups Can we blame researchers if they avoid SSR?

Views on SSR www.psychlotron.org.uk Scarr (1988) We have a responsibility to do SSR even if we don’t like the findings SSR can be very important in raising awareness e.g. of inequality & its effects

Views on SSR www.psychlotron.org.uk Aronson (1992) Stopping SSR or conducting it in secret would be a backward step Better to educate the public about SSR so they are able to understand it better and recognise abuses

Views on SSR www.psychlotron.org.uk “Shying away from controversial topics…[is] an avoidance of responsibility.” Sieber & Stanley (1988)