Discuss ethical implications of research studies and theory including socially sensitive research (16)
Many psychologists believe that if they follow the BPS ethical guidelines then participants would not
suffer however some research often cause wider implications for many groups. Cauchy et al found
that middle class children put in daycares at an early age generally score less on cognitive tests than
children from similar families reared at home. The wider implications of this research is that when
the results are published then parents of middle class infants who went to day care would believe
the child is at a disadvantage compared to threes. Certain psychological research can even lead to
misunderstands such as the study done which said is tests administered to black Americas show that
they typically score 15 points below the average white score. This study reinforces racial stereotypes
and can lead to decimation at school or work. Sieber and Stanley (1988) highlighted the people that
are most likely to be affected by socially sensitive research are the social groups being studied,
friends or family of participants, the research group or the institution where research is being
carried. Sieber and Stanley believe that there are 4 main ethical concerns when conducting socially
sensitive research. The first one is using the right research question and the next one is to make sure
you treat the participants in the same way and without bias and understand institutional context
and to make sure you control the way research may be interpreted and applied. They also created
ethical guidelines specific to socially sensitive research.
Many psychologists believe that if they follow the BPS ethical guidelines then participants would not
suffer however some research often cause wider implications for many groups. Cauchy et al found
that middle class children put in daycares at an early age generally score less on cognitive tests than
children from similar families reared at home. The wider implications of this research is that when
the results are published then parents of middle class infants who went to day care would believe
the child is at a disadvantage compared to threes. Certain psychological research can even lead to
misunderstands such as the study done which said is tests administered to black Americas show that
they typically score 15 points below the average white score. This study reinforces racial stereotypes
and can lead to decimation at school or work. Sieber and Stanley (1988) highlighted the people that
are most likely to be affected by socially sensitive research are the social groups being studied,
friends or family of participants, the research group or the institution where research is being
carried. Sieber and Stanley believe that there are 4 main ethical concerns when conducting socially
sensitive research. The first one is using the right research question and the next one is to make sure
you treat the participants in the same way and without bias and understand institutional context
and to make sure you control the way research may be interpreted and applied. They also created
ethical guidelines specific to socially sensitive research.
