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Socially sensitive research

Socially sensitive research. www.psychlotron.org.uk. Research that has implications that extend beyond the PPs used in the study, during the study For the participants For the group they represent. Socially sensitive research. www.psychlotron.org.uk. People potentially affected include:

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Socially sensitive research

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  1. Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk • Research that has implications that extend beyond the PPs used in the study, during the study • For the participants • For the group they represent

  2. Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk • People potentially affected include: • The participants themselves (beyond the study) • People close to them (e.g. family, friends, colleagues) • The social group from which they were drawn (e.g. ethnic, cultural) • The researchers & their institution

  3. Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk • Researchers need to be cautious because: • SSR has the potential to affect the lives of many people • By its nature, it attracts the attention of psychologists, media & the public – so often high profile

  4. Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk • Lee (1993) • SSR is that which contains an element of threat or risk • Topics that are private, stressful or sacred • Potential for exposure of incriminating or stigmatising info

  5. Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk • Sieber & Stanley (1988) • Research can become SSR for many reasons including: • The research question • Treatment of pps • The institutional context • Interpretation and use of findings

  6. Socially sensitive research www.psychlotron.org.uk • Examples include: • Hamer (1993) – ‘The Gay Gene’ • Raine (1996) – ‘Killer Babies’ • Lowney (1995) – ‘Teenage Satanists • Humphreys (1970) – ‘The Tea Room’

  7. Views on SSR www.psychlotron.org.uk • SSR can have major consequences for researchers e.g.: • Negative media exposure • Conflict with colleagues • Loss of position/job • Threats from extremist groups • Can we blame researchers if they avoid SSR?

  8. Views on SSR www.psychlotron.org.uk • Scarr (1988) • We have a responsibility to do SSR even if we don’t like the findings • SSR can be very important in raising awareness e.g. of inequality & its effects

  9. Views on SSR www.psychlotron.org.uk • Aronson (1992) • Stopping SSR or conducting it in secret would be a backward step • Better to educate the public about SSR so they are able to understand it better and recognise abuses

  10. Views on SSR www.psychlotron.org.uk “Shying away from controversial topics…[is] an avoidance of responsibility.” Sieber & Stanley (1988)

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