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LU 8: Ethical Issues in Different Kinds of Research - Coggle Diagram
LU 8: Ethical Issues in Different
Kinds of Research
Experiments
Field Experiments
: Conducted outside the lab; participants often unaware they're in an experiment
Ethical Issues
Consent: Participants often not informed beforehand or after
Harm: Potential for psychological distress
Privacy: Observations should be in public places
Examples
Bickman (1974): Authority and obedience
Piliavin et al. (1969): Good Samaritan study in subway
Natural Experiments
: IV naturally occurring; informed consent usually possible
Ethical Issues
Intrusiveness: Researchers may alter participants' behavior
Privacy: Difficult to ensure anonymity
Social Sensitivity: Misinterpretation of data can exaggerate differences (e.g., sex or race)
Examples
Charlton et al. (2000): Effects of TV on behavior in St. Helena
Laboratory Experiments
: Often involve deception for realism
Ethical Issues
Deception: Participants may not be fully informed
Harm: Psychological distress due to experimental conditions
Examples
Zimbardo (1973): Stanford prison experiment
Gamson et al. (1982): Group manipulation study
Non-Experimental Research
Observational Studies
: Observers record behavior in natural settings; participants often unaware
Ethical Issues
Ethical Issues
Consent: Often not possible to obtain
Examples
Humphreys' (1970): Tearoom Trade
Festinger et al. (1956): Infiltrating a doomsday cult
Cross-Cultural Research
: Aims to understand diverse cultures; often conducted by Western researchers
Ethical Issues
Bias: Imposing one's cultural perspective
Validity: Techniques may not be applicable cross-culturally
Social Sensitivity: Unfair comparisons (e.g., Kohlberg's moral development study)
Questionnaire Studies
: Common due to ease and speed
Ethical Issues
Consent: Pressure on participants, especially students
Harm: Sensitive questions may cause distress
Data Use: Ethical handling of collected data
Research Using Correlational Analysis
: Studies relationships between variables; does not imply causation
Ethical Issues
Explanation: Failure to clarify limitations of findings
Misinterpretation: Public may incorrectly infer causation from correlation
Examples
Smoking and cancer correlation studies
Psychological Research with Non-Human Animals
Ethical Considerations
Preventing Harm: Avoid causing harm as much as possible
Limiting Numbers: Use the minimum number of animals required
Seeking Alternatives: Use non-animal alternatives when possible
Attention to Needs: Cater to the specific needs of different animal species
Care of Animals: Ensure proper care during and after research
Guiding Principles (Three Rs
)
Refine: Minimize animal suffering
Reduce: Use the minimum number of animals
Replace: Find alternatives to animal use
Exempted Species
Certain countries ban research with great apes due to their similarity to humans
Scientific Arguments for Animal Research
Behaviorist Argument: Animal behavior helps understand human behavior
Physiological Research: Animal physiology can inform human physiology
Studying Animals: Research on animals has intrinsic value
Ethical Arguments Against Animal Research
Pain and Distress: Difficult to measure and avoid
Bateson's Decision Cube
Quality of research
Degree of animal suffering
Certainty of benefit
Assessing Pain: Hard to interpret animal pain responses
Drawing Ethical Lines
Peter Singer's View: Draw the line between sentient and insentient beings
Challenges: Differentiating between levels of sentience and cognitive abilities
Criticisms and Controversies
Joan Dunayer's Argument: Current laws might legitimize animal abuse. Proposes extending human rights to animals, which is practically challenging