Discuss ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on behaviour
Ethical principles in Psychology
The main ethical principles which Psychologists must follow concern:
- Consent
- Confidentiality
- Debriefing
- Deception
- Protection of participants from harm
- Right to Withdraw
- Observation
These are the same for all psychology researchers, with some being especially relevant to work at the BLoA. If you need a reminder about what each term means, you can check this IB blog site. You should know what each of these principles means for psychology researchers.
Ethics Mnemonic
Create a mnemonic for the letters CCDDPOR (though it doesn't have to be in that order), which will help you to remember all of the ethical principles. For example (though you should make your own)...
Obviously Dirty Doughnuts Can Cause Problematic Rashes
Think some of the studies here are bad?... Then have a look at the top ten unethical psychology experiments on Listverse. For two personal favourites of mine, look up Sheridan and King (1972) or Jouvet (1967).
- Consent
- Confidentiality
- Debriefing
- Deception
- Protection of participants from harm
- Right to Withdraw
- Observation
These are the same for all psychology researchers, with some being especially relevant to work at the BLoA. If you need a reminder about what each term means, you can check this IB blog site. You should know what each of these principles means for psychology researchers.
Ethics Mnemonic
Create a mnemonic for the letters CCDDPOR (though it doesn't have to be in that order), which will help you to remember all of the ethical principles. For example (though you should make your own)...
Obviously Dirty Doughnuts Can Cause Problematic Rashes
Think some of the studies here are bad?... Then have a look at the top ten unethical psychology experiments on Listverse. For two personal favourites of mine, look up Sheridan and King (1972) or Jouvet (1967).
Study 1 - Money (1974)
The famous and tragic story of Bruce/Brenda/David Reimer is one of the most controversial in Psychology. A research opportunity that at first seemed almost too good to be true - genetically identical twins being raised as different genders - turned into a nightmare for the family concerned.
The study seemed to be an opportunity to answer the nature/nurture question for gender once and for all. Are gender-linked behaviours the result of biological or cultural factors? Sadly, as it has turned out, we are left with a family destroyed and more questions than we even had initially. There are many reviews and reports of this research on the internet. See here and here for good places to start, as well as watching the excellent BBC documentary into his life on the right. Relevant ethical issues are introduced here. |
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Assingment 1 - Ethics in Money's researchHaving watched the Horizon video, which ethical principles do you think that Money infringed in this research?
Make sure that your criticisms can be related to genetics studies in general! You must bring these criticisms back to the title. Therefore, always refer back to the genetic element of the research (his sex chromosomes), and show how your conclusions are relevant to other genetics studies as well. One way to do this is to show the REAL WORLD CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR CRITICISM. For example, instead of just saying 'social stigma' as a criticism, say what this might lead to... unemployment, isolation, insurance difficulties etc etc. |
Ethical issues are not simple! - counter-arguments and comebacksIf ethics were simple, we would have found some rules that everyone was happy with a long time ago. These are contentious and debatable issues, and it is important that you show this in your essay. Let's take the example of confidentiality...
A good essay will show an awareness of this sort of debate. |
Study 2 - Caspi et al (2003)
We've already looked at Caspi et al's study in detail in the genetics and behaviour section. Now we can think about it from a different angle in terms of the ethics of the research.
Assignment 2 - Labelling and the self-fulfilling prophecy
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Developments in research practice for genetic studies - genetic counsellorsGenetic counsellors are trained professionals who are able to provide evidence about genetic conditions. This may be to explain research into the condition to the patient, to help them understand more about their condition, or to help them come to terms with it.
These relatively new positions in medical care have arisen in response to the need for better quality and more long term debriefing procedures for patients who have been a part of genetic studies. |
Assignment 3 - Section A questionAnswer the following question from memory:
Describe one piece of research into genetic influences on behaviour in which ethical concerns were raised (8) |
Triangulating evidenceAs well as Caspi et al's study, our other study into genetics and behaviour - Bouchard et al - is also clearly relevant to the genetics ethics debate. The latter parts of this article on genes and IQ, for instance, deal with some of the ethical worries of suggesting that IQ is mostly genetic.
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STOP and think like a Psychologist! Using these ideas in other sections...
Go back to the 'general learning outcomes' for the BLoA in the specification and you will find the requirement that you can "Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the biological level of analysis."
Clearly, the ethics of all studies in the BLoA is a larger topic than covered by just this page... but everything here will still be relevant! A discussion of Money's study could sit alongside an evaluation of animal testing, for example. Lots of the info on here would also help to make an excellent answer to this essay title too.
Clearly, the ethics of all studies in the BLoA is a larger topic than covered by just this page... but everything here will still be relevant! A discussion of Money's study could sit alongside an evaluation of animal testing, for example. Lots of the info on here would also help to make an excellent answer to this essay title too.
22 mark Section B essay question
All sections with a Level 3 command term can be assessed in a 22 mark essay (remember that a learning objective with a 22 mark command term could also come up as an 8 mark question, but not vice versa).
Although any Level 3 command term could be asked, we'll concentrate on the one given in the learning objective, so the question is Discuss ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on behaviour (22) You will need to plan an essay which will be about 2-3 sides of A4 long, including a detailed focus on the command term. The marking criteria are below. ALWAYS refer to these before you begin to plan your essay. It is crucial that you know what the examiners are looking for so that you can write exactly what is needed for top marks! |
Planning a great 22 mark questionKNOW THE COMMAND TERM! This is absolutely crucial! A different command term requires a different style of essay, so you need to tailor what you write to the question. You will still be able to use the same pieces of information, but how you use them may vary.
PLAN PLAN PLAN! Every year the examiners' comments mention that essays which are clearly planned score the best marks. FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE! Don't be afraid to spend up to 10 minutes in an exam planning your essay (and longer earlier in the year when are learning and practising). USE EVIDENCE! You have 2 detailed studies here to use, but you should also look to find triangulating evidence using other experimental methods or from other areas of the syllabus EVALUATE! You must evaluate the studies you present. Evaluating means talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the study as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the level of analysis as a whole with reference to the question (e.g. reductionist explanation of genetics in some behaviour) |
RevisionUse at least one of the studies here, along woth others from the BLoA, to answer the 22 mark essay question:
"Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the biological level of analysis." (22) |
Extension |