The ethics of socially sensitive research
Many of the studies conducted and topics researched in psychology have wider implications for those who are investigated and society as a whole. The ethics of socially sensitive research involves the psychologist being aware of:
? The implications of investigating
certain controversial topics. ? The possible uses to which their
research findings will be put. ? The amount of influence the
psychologist has on public policy. ? The basis or validity of their
research findings in controversial areas.
? The availability, understanding and
interpretation of the data they provide.
DECIDING WHAT TO RESEARCH Even the very act of phrasing
hypotheses-deciding who and what is to be investigated-has ethical implications.
社会敏感问题研究的伦理
许多心理学方面的研究和话题对研究者和整个社会有着广泛的影响。心理学家对社会敏感问题研究的伦理的看法如下：
1调查带来的影响仍是人们争议的话题。
2 研究结果有可能被应用。
3 心理学家对公众策略有很大的影响。
4 研究结果的可靠性和有效性仍有争议。
5 对所提供数据应用性的理解和解释。
决定要研究的主题
通过假设来决定要研究伦理问题的 内容及相关人物.
? Investigating potentially socially
sensitive areas, such as race and its
effects on IQ or the genetic basis of
homosexuality, may serve to legitimise or perpetuate socially constructed differences and prejudices. Alternatively, one might argue that the only way to dispel such prejudices or tackle genuine difference is to investigate them objectively and scientifically to reach the truth. Avoiding controversial topics just because they are controversial (and may involve stress to the researchers) could be regarded as an avoidance of social responsibility.
? Whether objectivity in the phrasing
and investigation of research hypotheses is possible is debatable. As the humanist psychologist Rogers(1956) ,in his debate with the behaviorist Skinner, commented 'In any scientific endeavor-whether \a prior subjective choice of the purpose or value which that scientific work is perceived as serving'.
调查潜在的社会敏感问题，例如种族及其它对智商的影响或者是同性恋者的遗传基础，这有利于社会长期存
在的差异和偏见得以被接受。或许人们会选择其他的方式来消除这样的偏见和处理真实的差异，从而客观且科学地去研究。避免有争议的话题是因为他们的争议可能被视为在逃避责任。
对研究假设客观性的描述存有争议。正如人本主义心理学家罗杰斯在1956年和行为主义心理学家斯金纳所争议的：无论是纯科学还是应用科学，在科学研究中对研究目的都有最初的主观选择，这有利于科学研究工作的发展。
? We must remember that what is
investigated, even in seemingly pure academic research, is subject to social values. Much psychology,
especially in the USA, has been (and still is) funded by the military and large businesses, for example Zimbardo’s research into the psychological effects of
imprisonment was funded by the US 经被大量应用到商业中，例如：津巴多对囚禁心理影响的研究已被应用到美国军队。 navy.
THE USE OF KNOWLEDGE Psychologist should consider how their findings will be used and who will be affected by them.
Knowledge is rarely neutral in practice, it can be used to improve the human condition or worsen it. The application of psychological knowledge to warfare is a good example. Watson(1978) has commented 'Psychology can be a worrying science in the hands of the military'-research on deindividuation and attitude change can be used to train soldiers to kill or brainwash prisoners of war, yet psychological research on intergroup conflict and post-traumatic stress disorder can
我们要牢记研究的内容是什么，即使在纯学术研究中也不要涉及社会准则问题。许多心理学特别是在美国已
知识的应用
心理学家们应该考虑怎
样使用结果以及谁将受到影响。知识在实践中是双面的，它
可以用来改善人们的生活也可以降低人们的生活水平。心理学知识在战争中的应用是一个很好的例子。华生声称，心理学在军队中的应用令人担忧。去个性化和态度改变的研究，可用来训练士兵刺杀战争中的囚徒或对他们洗脑，然而有关群体间冲练动物帮助残疾者，例如导盲犬。
also help prevent war or treat the victims of it.
P29心理学专业外语第29页资料
