1. Ethical Implications and Socially Sensitive Research
Discuss
Define and explain, what is the difference between….
Ethical Guidelines,
Ethical issues and
Ethical implications

2. Definitions Ethical Implications
Ethical Guidelines
Ethic guidelines refer to the correct rules of conduct necessary when carrying out research outlined by the BPS or APA in Psychology. We have a moral responsibility to protect research participants from harm. However important the issue under investigation psychologists need to remember that they have a duty to respect the rights and dignity of research participants.
Ethical Issues
An ethical issue brings systems of morality and principles into conflict. Unlike most conflicts that can be disputed with facts and objective truths, ethical issues are more subjective and open to opinions and interpretation. An example of an ethical issue in Psychology is deception of participants
Ethical Implications
Ethical implications consider the impact or consequences psychological research has on the participants and the rights of other people in a wider context
For teacher use of can discuss with learners

3. Exam practice Ethical Implications of Research and theory
Outline what is meant by Ethical Implications of research or theory
(4 marks)
The impact that psychological research may have in terms of the rights of other people; especially the participants.
This can include how the research process affects those involved in research
This also includes at societal level, influencing public policy and/or the way in which certain groups of people are regarded
The Implications can be positive and negative
Learners to write this on their plans

4. You may be asked questions on
1. Ethical Implications of Research and theory
Research example- Zimbardo why?
Theory example- Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment why?
2. Social Sensitivity of Research and theory
Research example- Milgram why?
Theory example- Genetic explanation of OCD why?
Use the Essay plan handout to note take and complete throughout this session

5. Sieber and Stanley (1988)  social sensitivity- studies where there are potential social consequences for the participants or the group of people represented by the research.
The Research Question: The researcher must consider their research question carefully. Asking questions like ‘Are there racial differences in IQ?’ or ‘Is intelligence inherited?’ may be damaging to members of a particular group.
The Methodology Used: The researcher needs to consider the treatment of the participant's and their right to confidentiality and anonymity. For example, if someone admits to committing a crime, or to having unprotected sex if they are HIV positive, should the researcher maintain confidentiality?
The Institutional Context: The researcher should be mindful of how the data is going to be used and consider who is funding the research. If the research is funded by a private institution or organisation, why are they funding the research and how do they intend to use the findings?
Interpretation and Application of Findings: Finally, the researcher needs to consider how their findings might be interpreted and applied in the real-world. Could their data or results be used to inform policy?

6. Outline the ethical implications of this research(4 marks)
Exam focus
Research used brain scans of violent criminals to examine their level of impulse control. Raine et al found that there was damage to most areas of the brains, focused around the frontal lobe which specialises in impulse control.
Outline the ethical implications of this research(4 marks)

7. Answer- Raine et al (1997)
P Raine et al’s biological approach to criminality can be an example of socially sensitive research. He found that there was damage to most areas of the brains of offenders, focused around the frontal lobe which specialises in impulse control suggesting a biological and innate cause to offending E Children, their parents and the general society would feel unease as to then what to do with the knowledge that a child or children have a predisposition to violent criminal behaviour E- The research could be seen as socially sensitive as the findings may be interpreted in a way that suggests that children should have brain scans to identify a predisposition for offending behaviour This could lead to support for genetic engineering to avoid criminal genes being transmitted which is highly socially sensitive. It could also have sensitive legal implications as the theory supports a determinist view in that the individual is not seen as culpable in a criminal act and violent crimes could thus not lead to convictions. L- This demonstrates the social sensitivity of Raine et al’s research and the negative implications that are likely to occur as a result of its social sensitivity

8. Ethical Implications and Socially Sensitive research Across the Specification
Topic
Explanation/ Theory/Research study
Ethical Implications of/ Socially Sensitive
Research, theory or study and why
Social Influence
Memory
Attachment
Psychopathology
Biopsychology

9. Psychological harm caused on the participants
Topic
Explanation/ Theory/Research study
Ethical Implications of/ Socially Sensitive
Research, theory or study and why and so what
Social Influence
Zimbardo
Milgram
Psychological harm caused on the participants/researchers and possibly their families
Sensitive to the participants, Findings could be used to make society obey leaders
Memory
 Anxiety and EWT
 Psychological harm caused on the participants
Attachment
 Bowlby’s monotropic and maternal deprivation
 Sensitive to fathers as suggests cannot be primary care giver.
Sensitive to mothers wanting to work- economic implications
Psychopathology
Genetic/neural explanation of OCD
Cognitive exp depression
 Could suggest genetic engineering of those with psychological disorders
Cognitive explanations blame the individual for the condition being caused by their thoughts- could worsen the condition/self fulfilling propehcy
Biopsychology
 Genetics
Plasticity and functional recovery-
 Supports role of genetic modification
Link found between educational attainment, gender and age and functional recovery may be sensitive to some groups in society

10. Evaluating ethical implications and socially sensitive research
Complete a P.E.E.L evaluation for the following points
Not confident? Do these on MWBs first
Confident? Add these to your essay plans
 P- Socially Sensitive research can lead to issues of discrimination……
 P- However some argue that the ethical guidelines set for psychological research is too restrictive…..
 P- Socially Sensitive research may be useful and beneficial for society…..

11.  P- Socially Sensitive research can lead to issues of discrimination……
For example Bowlby’s Maternal deprivation hypotheses argues that attachment forms with a primary care giver which is usually the mother.
This has negative implications on society as it may form discrimination towards fathers who are primary care givers or single parents. It could also enhance stigma around mothers who return to work and place their children in ChildCare

12.  However some argue that the ethical guidelines set for psychological research are too restrictive…..
An example of this could be from the studies involving individuals with Gender Identity disorder. This could be deemed to have ethical implications as may be sensitive to participants.
Avoiding the study of vulnerable or underrepresented groups and issues such as GID may be detrimental as research into these topics may actually promote a greater sensitivity and understanding of Gender which can help reduce prejudice and stigma.

13.  Socially Sensitive research may be useful and beneficial for society…..
Research into the unreliability of eyewitness testimony and the role of anxiety in EWT has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice
Socially Sensitive research can be used by the government and other institutions to shape social policy