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Assess the impact of socially sensitive research in psychology (20) -…
Assess the impact of socially sensitive research in psychology (20)
Social
Studies investigating obedience can help investigate the reasons for blind obedience which have been blamed for atrocities such as the Nazis in WW2
Milgrams research found the presence of the authority figure increases blind obedience so removal of an authority figure could reduce the possibility of blind obedience and possible atrocities from occuring.
Cognitive
Biological
Raine et al (1997) found differences in brain activity between murderers and non-murderers such as low activity in the prefrontal region in the murderers.
Research discovering brain differences in murderers and non-murderers can lead to those convicted of nursery attempting to absolve blame for their crimes and sometimes successfully reducing their sentence
Caspi et al (2002) reported this with the MAOA-L genotype, combined with severe childhood maltreatment has treated levels of antisocial behaviour.
Studies that show genetic predisposition to aggressive behaviour can help identify vulnerable people and help them avoid maltreatment that could lead to violent actions and possible crimes.
Learning Theories
Research in classical conditioning has led to treatments such as aversion therapy, which have been used as a form of so-called 'therapy' for homosexuality
Smith and Bartlett (2004) interviewed those who had undergone 'treatments' did homosexuality and stated that it is harmful to apply medical diagnoses to human conditions that maybe disapproved if morally or socially.
Clinical
Rosenhan (1973) sent pseudo patients into hospitals in America and reported that mental health patients were being ignored and abuses whilst in the care of the hospitals.
Research into mental hospitals can help reduce the likelihood if misdiagnosis which could lead to inappropriate treatments for the patients and hopefully help them recover quicker and more effectively.
Drugs are commonly used for mental health issues, such as OCD, Autism or Schizophrenia, and change the neurotransmitter levels and can lead to reductions in symptoms.
Drugs for mental health issues could be seen as a 'chemical straightjacket ' where symptoms are removed but may prevent clear thinking and decision-making with certain drugs that gave sedative properties.
Criminal
Research investigating prison behaviour can investigate human rights abuses whilst being a prisoner..
Haney et al. (1973) conducted the Stanford prison experiment and claimed guards and prisoners de-individuated to their expected roles where the guards were authoritarian and abusive and the prisoners were submissive so this may help explain abuse of prisoners in the real world.
Reicher and Haslam (2006) reported in the BBC prison experiment where they found that guards were overcome but the prisoners which lead to the proposed introduction or a tyrannical define and shows how people accept tyranny when their group helps to fails to help them realise their own beliefs.
Bradbury and Williams (2013) investigated their decision-making and found black defendants are more likely to be judged as guilty by mostly a white or Hispanic jury.
Research into jury compositions and trials show that there is potential bias in the courts, which can lead to a lack if fairy in the criminal justice system and may prevent people from reporting crimes as they could fear a miscarriage of justice.
Psychological research into jury decision making should be used to prevent miscarriages of justice from happening so all defendants received a fair trial by ensuring the composition of the jury enables this to happen