Psychology 8 marker

Discuss one or more ethical implications of research in psychology. Refer to at least one topic you have studied in psychology in your answer. (8 marks)

Ethical implications refer to psychological research that can have an impact on wider society and how it can function. Socially sensitive research can also have an impact on the individual or group of people being studied. For this reason, it is important to consider the implications research can have on society. For example, we have to consider whether the research question can affect the interpretation of the findings. We also have to deal with the participants ethically (i.e., informed consent, deception, etc.) and we must consider how these findings can be used. For example, Bowlby’s research on maternal deprivation highlighted how children form a special, innate bond with their mothers. The possible social implication of this research is that it could force or guilt mothers into staying at home, which could have wider ethical implications, such as stereotypes that a women’s place is at home with the children.

A strength of the ethical implications of research is socially sensitive research can be beneficial for the groups of people being studies. For example, in the 1950s, homosexuality was listed in the DSM-1 as a ‘sociopathic personality disorder’, but this was finally removed following the Kinsey report in the 1970s. The report included date on over 5000 interviews with men on their sexual behaviours and concluded that homosexuality was a typical expression on human sexual behaviour. This demonstrates the positive social impacts for groups of people as socially sensitive research such homosexuality, which, prior to the Kinsey report, were not discussed. This is therefore an advantage of socially sensitive research as it can have beneficial impacts on some groups of people.

However, conversely, there may be negative consequences for the group of individuals being studies, which in some cases, could have been anticipated. For example, research into the genetic basis of criminality has found the ‘criminal gene’. If this gene is really found responsible, this could have conflicting social implication, such as whether someone ought to be convicted based on their genes or excused because of them. This demonstrates the potentially negative impacts of socially sensitive research, and thus emphasises the importance of careful consideration of the possible consequences. As such, this is a limitation of socially sensitive research.

A mark out of 8 and feedback would be much appreciated! :smile: