1. What do we mean by socially sensitive research?

2. Sieber and Stanley (1988) Define socially sensitive research as……….
“studies in which there are potential consequences or implications, either directly for the participants in the research, or for the class of individuals represented by the research”

3. Social sensitivity refers to the impact of psychological research once it has been conducted
HOWEVER, just because the research is sensitive does not mean we should avoid doing it

4. Outside our control?
The wider ethical implications of research are hard to predict
How the work is presented in the media
Impact on public policy
Perception of some groups in society

5. Some types of research have social consequences, like………..
Lombroso, Sheldon etc …. Certain physical features and body types being associated with criminality Research into race or sexuality and IQ Explanations for Obedience – Agency Theory ‘the obedience Alibi’ Monotropic Theory of attachment The schizophrenegenic mother

6. Sieber and Stanley (1988) identified some concerns which need to be considered
Implications of the research – some studies give scientific status to prejudice and discrimination (Race & IQ)
The research findings could be misused by the government/others
Not all research presented to the public is valid

7. Cyril Burt’s research on IQ had lasting consequences for children
He helped establish the 11+ examinations in the UK. The results of the test determined the type of school a child went to. He published research to demonstrate that intelligence was genetic. BUT his results were later discredited

8. Bowlby’s research into maternal deprivation
Consequences include lack of free child care places for under 5s – making UK different to rest of Europe. Mothers getting custody of the children in divorce Women giving up careers/feeling guilty for maintaining careers

9. However – benefits of SS research include
Scarr (1988) says studying under-represented groups and issues promotes greater understanding and thus may reduce prejudice.
Also Sieber and Stanley make us consider HOW the research question is phrased. E.g. Research into ‘alternative relationships’ has a built in heterosexual bias as all relationships are compared ‘the norm’
This debate has opened our eyes to the potential damage of SS research
Packard (1957)

10. On the other hand ……………..
In the 1920s and 1930s some US states enacted legislation leading to the compulsory sterilisation of many people. These people were deemed to be ‘feebleminded’ and ‘unfit to breed’ Socially sensitive research on intelligence was used to support such discriminatory practices Further more the costs and benefits of SS research is really difficult to predict …assessments of ‘worth’ is subjective and can only be known once the research has been made public.

11. Dear old Joseph