Ethical Implications of Research (AQA A Level Psychology)

Most early psychologists focused on causal explanations and argued that behaviour was determined by either internal or external influences. In the 1960s, some psychologists chose to focus more on the role of free will in behaviour. More recently, there has been a broad shift back to more deterministic thinking, but this time with the focus on biology and cognitive processes.

Referring to the text above, explain what is meant by a paradigm shift.

Which two of the following are examples of ethnocentrism? Write the two correct letters in your answer book.

When a Chinese researcher:

A    assumes findings from research in other countries also apply to people in China.

B    chooses to carry out research with people from China rather than with people from other countries.

C    expects people from other countries to behave in the same way as people from China.

D    thinks that people from China are superior to people from other countries.

E    treats people from China in the same way that she treats people from other countries.

Discuss one or more ethical implications of research in psychology.
Refer to at least one topic you have studied in psychology in your answer.