Issues and debates
Issues
Gender bias Evaluation
Implications of gender Gender biased research can create misleading ideas about female
bias behaviour which could validate discriminatory practises. It provides
scientific justification to deny women opportunities in the workplace.
Its more than a methodological problem as it can have an effect on
the lives of real women
Sexism within the Not many women in senior research level means that female
research process concerns may not be reflected. Male researchers are more likely to
have their research published and studies that find a gender
difference are more likely to appear in journals. Also lab experiments
may disadvantage women. Nicolson says female participants are in a
unbalanced relationship with a male researcher who can label them
unreasonable and unable to finish tasks. Therefore psychology may
be guilty of supporting a form of institutional sexism which creates
bias in the theory
Gender bias can devalue Women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and given
men treatment than males. This may be because women are more likely to
suffer from depression, or it could be that the diagnostic system may
be biased towards finding depression among women. The
expectation for males should be able to pull themselves together is
viewed as a masculine trait which may highlight an issue with the
psychological diagnostic systems
Feminist psychology Women should be studied within meaningful real life contexts and
genuinely participate rather than being the objects of study. Diversity
within groups of women should be looked at rather than comparisons
between men and women. Use a variety of research methods to
collect qualitative data too
Cultural bias Evaluation
Individualism and Critics suggest that due to increased global communication and more
collectivism movement- this ‘lazy’ and simplistic distinction no longer applies.
Takano and Osaka 1999 found 14/15 studies comparing USA and
japan that there was no difference in the traditional distinction
between individualist and collectivist. Suggests that may be cultural
bias is less of an issue than it was
Cultural relativism vs Whilst it’s important that we are aware of the culturally specific
universality nature of our work. Some argue that there is in fact universal
behaviour. Ekman 1989 suggests that basic facial expressions for
emotions are the same all over the world. Also seen in some
attachment behaviours like imitation and interactional synchrony.
Mindful that cultures will differ and look at the behaviours which are
, universal.
Worldwide psychology Researchers in psychology travel much more than they did 50 years
community ago. Increased understanding of other cultures at a personal level but
also at a professional level. International conferences are held where
they can discuss ideas. Greater exchange of ideas which should
reduce ethnocentrism in psychology, enable understanding of
cultural relativism meaning real differences are identified and valued
Unfamiliarity with When conducting research in western culture the participants
research tradition familiarity with the general aims and objectives of scientific enquiry is
assumed. However the same knowledge and faith in scientific testing
may not extend to cultures that do not have the same historical
experience of research. This means demand characteristics may be
exaggerated when working with members of the local population and
this may have an adverse effect on the validity of research.
Ethical implications Evaluation
Benefits of socially A psychologist argues that studies of underrepresented groups and
sensitive research issues may actually promote greater sensitivity and understanding of
these. This could help to reduce prejudice and encourage acceptance.
There is also evidence of socially sensitive research benefitting
society. Research into EWT and how reliable it is has reduced the risk
of miscarriages of justice within the legal system. This suggests that
socially sensitive research can play a valuable role in society
Policy makers rely on Governments need research when developing social policy related to
socially sensitive research child care, education, mental health provision, crime etc. It is better
to base such policies on scientific research rather than politically-
motivated views. For example the ONS (office for national statistics)
are responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating objective
statistics about the UK’s economy, society and population. This
means that psychologists also have an important role to play in
providing high quality research on sensitive topics.
Social control In 1920/30s America a large number of states enacted legislation that
led to the compulsory sterilisation of many citizens. They argue it was
because they were ‘feeble-minded’ and a drain on society. Included
people of low intelligence, drug or alcohol addicts and mentally ill.
This was supported by many sections of the scientific and psychology
community who said they were ‘unfit’ to breed. The fact Socially
sensitive research by Goddard was used to ‘prop up’ discriminatory
practices like this is an argument against its widespread adoption.
Costs and benefits Ethics committees are now becoming more aware of the ethical
implications. They still consider ethical issues and possible damages
to the participants, but they are also weighing the possible costs of
research on society. However, it is sometimes impossible to
anticipate how research might be used. This subjective judgement
may not spot all possible implications. But ethics committees now
Issues
Gender bias Evaluation
Implications of gender Gender biased research can create misleading ideas about female
bias behaviour which could validate discriminatory practises. It provides
scientific justification to deny women opportunities in the workplace.
Its more than a methodological problem as it can have an effect on
the lives of real women
Sexism within the Not many women in senior research level means that female
research process concerns may not be reflected. Male researchers are more likely to
have their research published and studies that find a gender
difference are more likely to appear in journals. Also lab experiments
may disadvantage women. Nicolson says female participants are in a
unbalanced relationship with a male researcher who can label them
unreasonable and unable to finish tasks. Therefore psychology may
be guilty of supporting a form of institutional sexism which creates
bias in the theory
Gender bias can devalue Women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and given
men treatment than males. This may be because women are more likely to
suffer from depression, or it could be that the diagnostic system may
be biased towards finding depression among women. The
expectation for males should be able to pull themselves together is
viewed as a masculine trait which may highlight an issue with the
psychological diagnostic systems
Feminist psychology Women should be studied within meaningful real life contexts and
genuinely participate rather than being the objects of study. Diversity
within groups of women should be looked at rather than comparisons
between men and women. Use a variety of research methods to
collect qualitative data too
Cultural bias Evaluation
Individualism and Critics suggest that due to increased global communication and more
collectivism movement- this ‘lazy’ and simplistic distinction no longer applies.
Takano and Osaka 1999 found 14/15 studies comparing USA and
japan that there was no difference in the traditional distinction
between individualist and collectivist. Suggests that may be cultural
bias is less of an issue than it was
Cultural relativism vs Whilst it’s important that we are aware of the culturally specific
universality nature of our work. Some argue that there is in fact universal
behaviour. Ekman 1989 suggests that basic facial expressions for
emotions are the same all over the world. Also seen in some
attachment behaviours like imitation and interactional synchrony.
Mindful that cultures will differ and look at the behaviours which are
, universal.
Worldwide psychology Researchers in psychology travel much more than they did 50 years
community ago. Increased understanding of other cultures at a personal level but
also at a professional level. International conferences are held where
they can discuss ideas. Greater exchange of ideas which should
reduce ethnocentrism in psychology, enable understanding of
cultural relativism meaning real differences are identified and valued
Unfamiliarity with When conducting research in western culture the participants
research tradition familiarity with the general aims and objectives of scientific enquiry is
assumed. However the same knowledge and faith in scientific testing
may not extend to cultures that do not have the same historical
experience of research. This means demand characteristics may be
exaggerated when working with members of the local population and
this may have an adverse effect on the validity of research.
Ethical implications Evaluation
Benefits of socially A psychologist argues that studies of underrepresented groups and
sensitive research issues may actually promote greater sensitivity and understanding of
these. This could help to reduce prejudice and encourage acceptance.
There is also evidence of socially sensitive research benefitting
society. Research into EWT and how reliable it is has reduced the risk
of miscarriages of justice within the legal system. This suggests that
socially sensitive research can play a valuable role in society
Policy makers rely on Governments need research when developing social policy related to
socially sensitive research child care, education, mental health provision, crime etc. It is better
to base such policies on scientific research rather than politically-
motivated views. For example the ONS (office for national statistics)
are responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating objective
statistics about the UK’s economy, society and population. This
means that psychologists also have an important role to play in
providing high quality research on sensitive topics.
Social control In 1920/30s America a large number of states enacted legislation that
led to the compulsory sterilisation of many citizens. They argue it was
because they were ‘feeble-minded’ and a drain on society. Included
people of low intelligence, drug or alcohol addicts and mentally ill.
This was supported by many sections of the scientific and psychology
community who said they were ‘unfit’ to breed. The fact Socially
sensitive research by Goddard was used to ‘prop up’ discriminatory
practices like this is an argument against its widespread adoption.
Costs and benefits Ethics committees are now becoming more aware of the ethical
implications. They still consider ethical issues and possible damages
to the participants, but they are also weighing the possible costs of
research on society. However, it is sometimes impossible to
anticipate how research might be used. This subjective judgement
may not spot all possible implications. But ethics committees now
