Psychology Report: Themes, Methods, and Ethical Issues in Research

This psychology report delves into core themes, research methodologies, and ethical considerations within the field of psychology. It begins by outlining fundamental themes, including the nature versus nurture debate, and explores how these themes shape individual behavior and mental processes. The report then examines various research methods, with a specific focus on Milgram's experiment on obedience, detailing its methodology and findings. Furthermore, the report addresses crucial ethical issues that arise in psychological research, using examples such as Landi's Facial Expressions and Zimbardo's Stanford Prison experiment to illustrate the complexities of balancing research goals with participant welfare. The report concludes by synthesizing the key concepts discussed, providing a comprehensive overview of the challenges and advancements in psychological research.

Psychology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Task 1 ..............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Themes of psychology..........................................................................................................1
1.2 Is psychology a science.........................................................................................................3
1.3 Scientific methods used by Milgram ....................................................................................4
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................6
5.1 Issues generated by psychological research..........................................................................6
5.2 Evaluation of the ethical issues arising in the various psychological studies.......................7
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
The science in context with behaviour and mind comes under the category of Psychology
which embraces all the conscious as well as unconscious experiences aspects. In addition, the
thoughts are also taken into account (Ashmore and Del-Boca, 2013). It accounts to be a sort of
academic discipline along with inclusion of social sciences that seek out towards understanding
individuals & groups through establishment of general principles as well as doing research in
specific cases. So, the report takes in account the different themes associated to psychology.
Also, various research methods regarding Psychology have been discussed laying focus upon
methodologies of Milgram (Balsam and Tomie, 2014). Other methods involved in discussing the
psychological research have also been discussed. Furthermore, the various sorts of ethical issues
associated to the psychological research have been discussed in detail. Regarding these ethical
issues experiments of Landi's Facial Expressions and Zimbardo's Stanford Prison have been laid
focus upon.
Task 1
1.1 Themes of psychology
It the science of behaviour and mind, which includes different aspects of the human
experiences and their thoughts. As according to the academics and social science it is considered
to make understand the thoughts of individuals and their behaviour to establishing of their
general principles (Balsam and Tomie, 2014)..
It includes different aspects of human relations and their behaviour such as attention,
emotion, intelligence etc. there are many types of themes which are related top the psychology
such as personality, unconscious mind and motivations (Willig, 2013.). All these themes are
helps to develop a different personality of individual. Following are the difference in between
nature and nurture psychology.
Nature v/s Nurture is long running debate which is based on the motivation or factors
which make determination if the human personality.
Nature
It is related to the human psychology in which it is proven that an important factor which
helps to individual to set it owns psychology, is its genetics. As according to this them human
personality are defined by their DNA such as eye colour, hair colour, height and weight etc. as
per these themes all the characteristics which adopted by an individual are inspired by their
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genetics .It also helps to person to set their psychology and develop effective approach to
understand the world and their own behaviour (Sarafino and Smith, 2014). Genetic factors can
bot be denied, as it plays important factor to determined an individuals' psychology and
development of their mental health.
Nurture
Nurture are considered those external factors which make contribution for the human
psychology (Willig, 2013). The environment in which an individual grow play important role in
development of their mental health. In the environment there are different types of factors which
play important role to development of human such their education and social factors (Argyle,
2013). There are many types of theories and research was conducted on this them in which it s
proven that external environment helps to person to becomes a successful adult. For example, it
is found that addiction is not part of genetic it is developed by environmental aspects.
Comparison chart
Nature Nurture
It is related to the individual genetics aspects .
As per this theory person's psychology are set
as per their genetics (Argyle, 2013).
It is those external factors which make
contribution in development of human
psychology.
The main factors which make contribution in
this them are biological and family factors. As
per the theory of the nature biological factor
are very common factors which helps to
development of individual psychology.
Basically it is considered those factors which
they adopt from their families or parents.
As according to this them of psychology
human psychology are defined by those
different types of environmental factors such as
social factors which helps to them for set their
psychology (Lachman, Lachman and
Butterfield, 2015)
There are many types of theories which are developed to make support to this theory. It
is long processed debate, in the today, research in the psychology are emphasized on the each
other (Heine, 2015). For example, many researcher make research on the neurotransmitters to
understand human behaviour, on the other hand some researcher make research on social
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psychology to gain understanding how social media effects human psychology (Lachman,
Lachman and Butterfield, 2015).
1.2 Is psychology a science
There are many types of theories and debate are conducted on the psychology. Some
researcher says that psychology is science and some are not (Bereiter, 2013 ). Different types of
argument are present on this their. Science can be defined as the process to build and organizes
systematic knowledge with testable explanations on particular topic. In order to prove any type
of theory as science it is important to give explanation which can be test.
Psychology as a science
All theory which give the accurate results and values are considered as science. There are
many people in the research world which prove that psychology is complete a science (Bereiter,
2013). There are many types of theories are adopted by psychology along with scientific
methods. It basically includes systematic observation, measurement and testing etc. as according
to the many researcher psychology is considered as soft science. It helps to development of
human mental health and their behaviour (Tomasello, 2014.) It is that process which helps to
make develop their behaviour. With the helps to this one can understand each other behaviour
and factors which might affect their behaviour of human (Explore Psychology Student, Ap
Psychology and more!, 2015).. Psychology can be considered because it provides rational results
and it also helps to conduct a systematic study on the human mental stability. With the helps of
this study one make more further research which provide valid results.
The main goal of the psychology is to understand the nature of human and benefits to the
society. The term of the science is also refers to the make understand human nature and conducts
systematic study (Willig, 2013.). Some researcher also emphasized that it is science because it is
based in logic and observation. So psychology can be considered as science.
Psychology is not science
There are many types of arguments are also given that psychology is not actual science as
some time it provides some unscientific things. As per the definition of the science all theory
and study which provide a correct terminology are considered as the science. But the psychology
does not give enough terminology to prove as science (Sarafino and Smith, 2014). Along with
this many researchers believes that it is totally based on the subjective experiences.
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There are many types of principles which are given by the psychology which does not
provide the accurate results each time. The psychology of all human are not same so its
principles are also applied to universally.
From the above argument it can be defined that debate in between the psychology is
science or not, is never ended process (Argyle, 2013). By providing the different types of
argument son the many topics it is considered that psychology is considered as science as it
provide the more valid results, but it has some limitations as well.
1.3 Scientific methods used by Milgram
In the year of 1963, Miligram make an experiment on the obedience in psychology. As
according to the milgram "the essence of obedience consists in the fact that a person comes to
view himself as the instrument for carrying out another person's wishes, and he therefore no
longer sees himself as responsible for his actions. Once this critical shift of viewpoint has
occurred in the person, all the essential features of obedience follow."
Basically this theory was inspired by the those people who were slaughtered by the Nazis
during the Hitler's regime (Lachman, Lachman and Butterfield, 2015). The main of this
experiment is to check the level of the obedience when the participants were told by an authority
to administer electric shocks to another person. This experiments were related to the series of the
social psychology.
Experiments
Under this experiment, three propel are involved the one who was running the
experiment, the subject of the experiment a and a confederate pretending to be a volunteer to
conduct this research laboratory method experiment has been used (Deception with experiments,
2012). This helps to control the different types of variables such as noise from the other people in
the room. But such types of factors are not controlled in the real life. Under this experiment
milgram provide electronic shocks which can not be attempt in everyday activities (Heine,
2015). This study is lack of ecological validity. To make conduct this research Milgram use
debriefing which was the major ethical issue.
The results of this experiment is that all the “learners believed that only a few polls
responded that believed that only a very small fraction of teachers would be prepared to inflict
the maximum voltage.”
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The main results of these experiments is that it provide that how much electronic shock
can be provided by a person to another person (Explore Psychology Student, Ap Psychology and
more!, 2015). Basically this theory was inspired by the those people who were slaughtered by the
Nazis during the Hitler's regime.
As per the findings of this result it can be interpreted that ordinary people make their
work on the regular basis, most of them are doing only that thing on which they received orders
from some other people. So it based on the social psychology in which it defied to make survive
in the world people are only following of other order. Even when they know what is wrong.
Interpretation
The interpretation of this theory is that which is based on the relationship on the
individuals or group people. As per the interpretation it can be considered that when an
individual is not bale to make decision then it leaves on completely on the other people or group
people. So in that case group is considered as the person's behavior model.
b) Methods which used in psychological research
In order to make study in the psychology there are various types of methods which can
be used by researcher. There are wide range of methods which use by individual to make
research and collect the data. Through this method and approach they can understand how
information can be drawn and ways to collect the sample and used in the data analysis. Methods
are varied on the basis of their collection as weather they make collection of the quantitative
approach or qualitative approach. There are many types of research approach which used by
scholar in order to make research on the different aspects of psychological research. Following
are the methods which used by researcher to make research in psychology.
Case study
In this method individual make research on the different aspects of the psychology by
referencing cases. For example, in many time doctor asked many questions to their clients so
they can understand the actual problems and provide the best treatment to their clients. In the
psychological filed it is also considered that case study methods helps to them for making
analysis on the individual and its behaviours (Tomasello, 2014). Basically it makes focuses on
individual's interaction pattern along with their experiences so they can make development of
effective relationships.
Experimental method
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This is one of the most effective approach which used by research in the filed of
psychology. As according to this theory one variable make impact on the another variable. The
variable which is controlled by the experiment is called independent variable and variable which
is depended on another variable know as dependent variable. This study includes many subjects
in the psychology on which individual make research such as memory, learning, development
process and social psychology.
Survey
This method generally used by researcher to make research in to collect opinions and
beliefs of people. With the help bf this method one can make test their assumption and develop
hypothesis about the relationship of the people (Tomasello, 2014). Through this method
researcher make collection of data for making and developing their understanding related to the
human. It helps to scholar to make use of various data for making their own theory. Under this
method they are many types question are prepared to make conduct the data.
Observation
I order making understand the actual understanding of the human behaviour it is essential
to make observation of their practices and theories which may effects them (Bereiter, 2013).
The main object of this theory is that it helps to understand human behaviour in better manner
and make effective approach to collect the data. Under this methods scholar make observation of
the various activities of the people and try to understand each aspects of human psychology to
develop a theory. It is divided into two parts such as participant and non participant. Under the
participant methods' researcher try to involved.
TASK 5
5.1 Issues generated by psychological research
Many times sensitive situations occur in which psychologists have to work with
vulnerable individuals. In order for perusing the desired goals and objectives human behaviour
is regarded as acceptable by the principles of ethics. Determination of ethics is done both at
professional as well as personal level. However, for the professional organizations, it is often
referred as the 'Code of Conduct' (Brinkmann, 2014). Unlike most of the subject areas , it is
entirely based upon human or animals. Regarding this all the physical or psychological harmful
living things are involved. Also, in addition, wide community needs to be considered. Through
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the Milgram's research some unpleasant information regarding human race in general was found
out. For example, some research on the field of IT have been utilised for the discrimination of
different races as well as ethnic groups (Lachman, Lachman and Butterfield, 2015). Moreover,
the knowledge obtained from the psychological research could be exploited by some particular
groups of people to gain benefits upon others (Csikszentmihalyi, 2013). So, based upon the
research methods in psychology, following issues can be considered :
1. Deception : Either the concealing of real intentions from associated participants
regarding a particular study is done or inclusion of steps misleading them is involved in
the deception. Use of stooges or confederates means the occurrence of deception. Not just
Milgram's, but there are many other studies that have an involvement of deception. The
reason is that some cases involve the psychologists tell their participants the required
necessities before hand only (Gergen and Gergen, 2014). However, this is certainly not
at all a good scenario. Furthermore, deception is always regarded a false practice because
the informed consent are being prevented. Also, the researchers find it obligating to
protect their participants . So, as a result, all the associated psychologists should be seen
as trustworthy & professional.
2. Debriefing : Psychologists should debrief their participants at endings of every
procedure carried out thereby informing them the research point (Parker and Shotter,
2015). Any sort of employed deception makes the implementation of debriefing more
crucial. Participants should be ensured that there are no sort of negative consequences in
the procedure. As per the study carried by Zimbardo, questionnaires are received by
participants (Riggio, 2015). Also, they are asked to complete diaries and further have to
follow up the meetings.
3. Informed consent : Earlier less attention was shown towards rights of participants by the
psychologists. Political climate of time has been reflected through this (Lachman,
Lachman and Butterfield, 2015). With the human rights becoming an important issue,
aid has been further provided in the code of conduct followed by psychologists for
carrying forward the research with human participant. Consent might be given from the
side of the participant because of improper understanding of the involved aspects in the
research. Once they had took their part, better consent could be informed by them and in
case necessity is there, withdrawing of rights could also be done.
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5.2 Evaluation of the ethical issues arising in the various psychological studies
i. Landis' Facial Expressions Experiment(1924) : The main motive conduction of this
experiment was to find out that are various sorts of emotions able to create diversified
facial expression or not. The whole experiment was found out to be not so ethical. That
means involvement was deception was there. The involved participants were made to
smell ammonia, feel frogs and were made to perform various activities (Schultz and
Schultz, 2015). Black lines were drawn on the faces of the participants for effective
display of facial expressions .Recording of their facial action s was done on the camera.
Through this Landis wanted to find out whether any sort of relationship existed
emotions and expressions. However, death was observed within the final part of the
experiment and namely rats. Participants were made to behead a rat so that their expressions
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Illustration 1: Facial expressions recorded by Landis
(Source : Deception with experiments, 2012)

could be observed regarding disgust (Tavris, 2014). Obviously they were not trained in the
beheading procedure, so rats were made subject to agony.
The worse part was observed when Landis failed to obtain any specific outcomes. This
led to the final conclusion that facial expressions are not entirely exclusive towards the emotions.
Killing of the rats was done for nothing. It became null and void. The main ethical issue
regarding the experiment was informed consent. The participants were not provided clear
information regarding the experiment. They had no idea about the beheading of rats (Psychology
gone bad: when animals pay the price, 2012). After kn owing this they refused to do so and
their part was carried by Landis himself which stated that he was so desperate to conduct such an
experiment which as a result became null and void. Overall, the experiment as a whole
showcased the willingness regarding people obeying everything despite its false nature. An
ample of expressions are used by people the motive of displaying same emotion. This also
includes the emotion of disgust when they had to behead the rat.
ii. Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment(1971) : The Stanford experiment showcased the
impact of psychological impact that the prison imposes upon everyone besides the prisoners. The
officers at the prison are often regarded as the correctional psychologists who are responsible for
giving stress. Sometimes they are both officers and psychologists (Lachman, Lachman and
Butterfield, 2015). The outcome of the Stanford was a clear indicative that if an individual is
placed in the position of handling authority then changes could be observed drastically. The
average psychologist was also called upon for conduction of head count at the evening shift
which was bound to the role having an commonality in its context (Weiten, Dunn and Hammer,
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Illustration 2:
Beheading of rats during experiment
(Source : Psychology gone bad: when animals pay the price,
2012)

2014). They had to act as psychologists day-by-day thereby indicating towards the involvement
of the dual roles. And this also created a challenge in psychological terms for the correlation-
psychologist. This experiment led to the formulation of some unethical issues as well.
In 1971, Phillip G. Zimbardo conducted an experiment. A participation of nearly 24
voluntary students was there at the Palo Alto prison in California. Randomly they were given the
roles of either guards or prisoners. Sticks and sunglasses were handled to them for obscuring any
sort of emotion and avoiding eye contacts. However, despite enjoying the assigned roles, at the
time of doing head count, guards further took advantage of this situation in order to control the
prisoners. As a result, the guards became excessively abusive depicting their inhuman nature.
This led to the prisoners showing high levels of stress along with over anxiety & depression-
levels. This further led to the researchers losing a control of the situation aroused.
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Illustr
ation 3: Stanford experiment
(Source : Explore Psychology Student, Ap Psychology and more!,
2015)