ISSUES AND DEBATES
, ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS
o The impact of research after it has been published
Socially sensitive research – research that may have negative consequences on
participants or the wider population
Economic Implications – the impact research may have on the economy (positive or
negative)
Media Influence
o Summarises research into key headlines, using the word ‘prove’ inaccurately
o Oversimplifies complex phenomena, emphasising singular findings
e.g. Zimbardo’s research influenced anti-maskers to believe complying to government
rules creates blind obedience
Public Policy
o Research can have political influence in creating new laws
o Beneficial for some but detrimental for others
e.g. Burt found a genetic heritability in twins for intelligence at 77% so 11+ exams were
enforced in the UK to get into grammar schools
Marginalised Groups
o Research can be used to justify racism, homophobia and misogyny which puts
people at risk
e.g. Bowlby’s research on maternal deprivation influenced the UK government to not
offer free childcare under 5 which harms the working-class population
Evaluation:
- Socially sensitive research shines light on marginalised groups
- Encourages acceptance by exposing prejudice
- Improves things like cognitive interview and Bowlby’s influence
- Findings can be negatively misused by oversimplification to scare society
- Example of Burt and Zimbardo’s influence on public policy
- Manipulates the public and can have detrimental effects
- Socially sensitive research should not be conducted at all
- Avoiding issues and prejudices could however be negative
- Sieber and Stanley argue that this would be avoidance of responsibility
- Psychologists should be engaging with public policy and social change
- Ethical committees have been introduced to oversee research implications
- Social consequences might not be able to be anticipated until publishing
- Judgements made might be subjective
- The impact can only be evaluated after completion leading to media
misrepresentation
, ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS
o The impact of research after it has been published
Socially sensitive research – research that may have negative consequences on
participants or the wider population
Economic Implications – the impact research may have on the economy (positive or
negative)
Media Influence
o Summarises research into key headlines, using the word ‘prove’ inaccurately
o Oversimplifies complex phenomena, emphasising singular findings
e.g. Zimbardo’s research influenced anti-maskers to believe complying to government
rules creates blind obedience
Public Policy
o Research can have political influence in creating new laws
o Beneficial for some but detrimental for others
e.g. Burt found a genetic heritability in twins for intelligence at 77% so 11+ exams were
enforced in the UK to get into grammar schools
Marginalised Groups
o Research can be used to justify racism, homophobia and misogyny which puts
people at risk
e.g. Bowlby’s research on maternal deprivation influenced the UK government to not
offer free childcare under 5 which harms the working-class population
Evaluation:
- Socially sensitive research shines light on marginalised groups
- Encourages acceptance by exposing prejudice
- Improves things like cognitive interview and Bowlby’s influence
- Findings can be negatively misused by oversimplification to scare society
- Example of Burt and Zimbardo’s influence on public policy
- Manipulates the public and can have detrimental effects
- Socially sensitive research should not be conducted at all
- Avoiding issues and prejudices could however be negative
- Sieber and Stanley argue that this would be avoidance of responsibility
- Psychologists should be engaging with public policy and social change
- Ethical committees have been introduced to oversee research implications
- Social consequences might not be able to be anticipated until publishing
- Judgements made might be subjective
- The impact can only be evaluated after completion leading to media
misrepresentation
