Socially sensitive research

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Socially sensitive research
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• 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

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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

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Views on SSR
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• 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?

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Views on SSR
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• Scarr (1988)
• We have a responsibility to do SSR even if we
  dont like the findings
• SSR can be very important in raising awareness
  e.g. of inequality its effects

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Views on SSR
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• 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

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Views on SSR
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• Shying away from controversial topicsis an
  avoidance of responsibility.
• Sieber Stanley (1988)