What ethical issues arose from Cyril Burt's intelligence research?
Cyril Burt, a British psychologist, was instrumental in intelligence testing. He posited that genetics largely determine intelligence. Posthumously, he faced allegations of data fabrication in his studies, casting doubt on his findings and highlighting the importance of research ethics.
What are some potential social implications of reporting scientific results?
The way research conclusions are presented can have significant effects on the scientific community and society in general. For example, declaring that homosexuality is inherited based on a single research study can have deep societal effects. Hence, results must be reported precisely, accurately, and with recognition of all potential limitations of the study.
How should researchers handle sensitive personal information in psychological studies?
Researchers must treat sensitive personal information with utmost care. If any adverse effects are anticipated, continuous monitoring of subjects and the provision of psychological support should be considered.
What is the importance of sharing research data for verification?
Sharing research data for verification allows other researchers to replicate the analysis, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the study results. It requires ethical and responsible use of shared data, for instance, making the shared data set anonymous.
What does the APA Code of Ethics dictate about assigning authorship in research publications?
According to APA Code of Ethics, authorship should reflect individual contributions. Typically, a student whose work forms the publication's basis should be the first author, ensuring fair credit distribution.
Define plagiarism in research and its ethical implications.
Plagiarism is the unethical act of presenting parts of another's work or data as one's own without proper acknowledgment or credit.
What were the ethical issues in Watson's "Little Albert" experiment?
In Watson's "Little Albert" experiment, the infant was exposed to severe distress and potential long-term detrimental consequences. He was conditioned to fear furry objects, which was generalized to other similar objects, potentially causing long-term phobia. There was also no follow-up or de-sensitization conducted.
What are the potential justifications for relaxing ethical standards in a study?
Ethical standards may be relaxed if the study can reveal scientific information that will significantly benefit many people, or if there is no way the study of a phenomenon can be conducted without relaxing an ethical standard. However, this must be done under the supervision of ethics committees.
What occurred during the Stanford Prison Experiment and what were its implications on ethics?
The Stanford Prison Experiment involved assigning participants roles of guards or prisoners in a mock prison. Guards' abusive behaviors and prisoners' extreme stress exposed ethical issues regarding participant protection, leading to the experiment’s termination and tighter ethics in research.
What is a cost-benefit analysis in ethical decision making for a research study?
A cost-benefit analysis in ethical decision-making is the process of weighing the potential harm or risks to participants against the potential benefits of the research. This process helps decide if it's appropriate to relax some ethical standards for a particular study.