1. Apply Question based on what we learnt last lesson.
Read the item and then answer the question that follows.
A prison psychologist used an idiographic approach to study offending. He asked two offenders to record their thoughts about their childhood and their offending behaviour in a journal over a period of four weeks. Qualitative analysis of the journals showed that the offenders often thought about sad childhood events and believed that their childhood experiences had influenced their offending. Findings from idiographic research like the study described above are often used as a basis for other investigations.
Explain how the researcher might develop the above investigation through taking a nomothetic approach. [6 marks]

2. Model Answer
Although the idiographic approach gives rich and in-depth information, a nomothetic investigation can enable the formulation of general laws, e.g. offenders have a more negative view of their childhood. To take a nomothetic approach the researcher should test a larger sample of offenders. A random sample could be used to ensure that it is representative of the larger population. The researcher should use a testable hypothesis, for example ‘violent offenders have more negative thoughts about childhood than non- violent offenders. The researcher could then give questionnaires on childhood experiences to offenders and non offenders and compare the results. To take a nomothetic approach it would involve collection of a large amount of data. The analysis of the data would involve quantitative data, for example statistical testing would occur and then conclusions can be drawn. These conclusions are drawn in relation to a wider population.

4. You have learnt ethical guidelines and ethical issue…
Ethical guidelines: set of principles set out by the BPS
Ethical issues: that arise when there is conflict between the rights of the participant and the aims of the researcher(s).
We are now going to look at ethical implications. How might the findings of a study affect a wider group of people?

5. Consider the ethical implications of Bowlby….
Bowlby: what does he say?
Critical period. Internal working model. The importance of Mothers.
What are the implications?
- It might make mothers feel guilty for wanting to return to work.

6. Ethics and Socially Sensitive Research
Socially sensitive research is a term that refers to any psychological research that has ethical implications that go beyond the research situation and affect people or groups in the wider society.
For example:
The participants who took part in the research
Their families or other people who are close to them
Subgroups or cultures within society
The researchers and their institutions.

7. An example of SSR
Raine (1996) carried out brain scans of violent criminals. He found that they tended to have subtle damage to areas of the brain associated with impulse control. He suggested that this type of brain damage is a marker for violent criminality and that a great deal of misery (not to mention money) could be saved if, early in life children were screened for these markers and ‘something done about it’.
Consider…
Who is put at risk by this research, and in what ways?
What are the potential benefits of this research for society or people and groups within it?
Do you think the research was justified, or should it have been disallowed?

8. Research studies and ethical implications…
Milgram (1963)
Did the ends justify the means?
The participants were debriefed and said that they suffered no long effects. So does this mean the ethical implications are ok?
What ethical implications could there be: It could be used to ensure that people to obey orders that they do not want to follow?

9. https://www. youtube. com/watch

10. How social consequences may occur?
Siber and Stanley identified four aspects in the research process at which ethical issues with social consequences may occur:
The research question
Conduct of research and treatment of participants
The institutional context
Interpretation and application of findings

11. What ethical issues need to be considered in socially sensitive research
Privacy
Confidentiality
Validity of the methodology
Deception
Informed consent
Equitable treamtnet
Scientific freedom
Who owns the data?
Risks and beneftis.

12. Why is this important?
Cyril Burt used studies of identical twins to support his view that intelligence is largely genetic
His views greatly influenced the Hadow Report (1926) which led to the creation of the 11+ entrance examination which was used from
Generations of children were affected by the 11+ exam results.

13. He made up all of his data!!!
Use the steps of Siber and Stanely to show what Cyril should have considered at each stage.
The research question
Conduct of research and treatment of participants
The institutional context
Interpretation and application of findings

14. Challenge: Exam Question Apply what you know to consider how researchers deal with the issue of social sensitivity.
Read the item and then answer the questions that follow.
In a study of antisocial activity and social background, researchers interviewed 100 children aged 14 years. They then classified each child according to their level of antisocial activity. They concluded that 26 were ‘very antisocial’, 40 were ‘mildly antisocial’ and 34 were ‘not antisocial’. The researchers found that the majority of the ‘very antisocial’ children attended Crayford secondary school, whereas most of the other two groups of children attended another local school.
This study is an example of socially sensitive research.
Briefly explain how the researchers could have dealt with the issue of social sensitivity in this study.

15. Model Answer
Researchers should be aware of the implications of their research, for example there could be a possible negative impact for the children in the sample, there could also be possible negative implications of the research for the reputation of Crayford school and the wider community. This could lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy for the students at Crayford School as they may believe they should be antisocial. The researchers should take adequate steps to counter the issues, this could be achieved by sensitive briefing/debriefing of participants, parents, teachers and the wider community involved. There should also be care taken in relation to publication, disclosure of results and confidentiality/anonymity.

16. How should psychologists deal with socially sensitive research?
Researchers should be aware of the implications of their research
Researchers should brief and debrief the participants so they are aware of the implications of the research
Researchers should take care when publishing results – confidentiality and anonymity
Researchers should be cautious in interpreting findings. Researcher bias?

17. Evaluation Disadvantage marginalised groups in society
But if avoided we may fail to understand important psychological phenomena
Take care how such research is presented in the media

18. Review 1) What is meant by socially –sensitive research?
2) What are three ethical issues you learnt in A1?
3) How can psychologists deal with socially sensitive issues?
4) Name one example of SSR.