Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the cognitive level of analysis

By: Jihyun,Lynn,and Mind

Cognitive Level of Analysis

Cognitive level of analysis, also known as CLA is a method based on mental processes such as perception, thinking, attention, memory, and language.

Cognitive Level of Analysis

Human beings are information processors and that mental representations guide behavior

Mental processes can and should be studied scientifically by developing theories and by using a variety of research methods

social and cultural factors affect cognitive processes.

Ethical Considerations● Ethical considerations are ethics

which must be considered during a research/study/experiment to ensure participants are not physically and mentally harmed during the research is being conducted.

● Researchers should conduct a study in ethical manners and should always be critically evaluated.

Ethical Considerations

Protection of participants Consent Right to withdraw ConfidentialityDebriefing Deception

EXPERIMENTS

‘Genie’ Curtiss (1981)

● Abused by her own father ○ abuse○ neglect○ social isolation

● kept in isolation for 13 years○ locked up in her room

● Her abuse came to the attention of Los Angeles child welfare authorities on November 4, 1970.

‘Genie’ Curtiss (1981)

‘Genie’ Curtiss (1981)

Aim:To investigate the sensitive period

Hypothesis: there is a sensitive learning

period (before puberty) during which language

must be acquired to develop normally.

Method: Researchers encouraged her to verbalise and socialise.

They communicated with her, taught her sign

language, and provided a caring environment for

Genie.

Participant Protection● Genie was protected from harm during the study

● But when researchers concluded the study, Genie was left to live

in an adult foster home

○ Genie may have experienced mental distress from the dramatic change in environment and carers and the leaving of the researchers

Consent● Genie could not be fully informed or give consent to the study

due to language restrictions and mental state

● But Genie was not in a healthy state of mind to understand the

nature and aims of the study

○ Therefore, it may not be possible to gain informed consent

Withdrawl● Genie would not be able to express any desires to withdraw from

the study due to language restrictions and mental state

Confidentiality● Her identity was kept anonymous as 'Genie' is not her real name

● Although her real name was not revealed, her case was exposed to

the world of psychology

Debriefing● Genie was not debriefed at the end of the study

● She ended up living in an adult foster home, still requiring

treatment as she is still language impaired.

● However, since she did not know that she was being studied, she

would not desire a debriefing.

Inappropriate behaviour of researchers

● Researchers had a very personal and attached relationship with

Genie

● This was inappropriate for scientific research

● Leads to the questioning of objectivity and their aims for

studying Genie

Gardner and Gardner (1969) “Washoe”

Aim:To investigate and demonstrate

that a chimpanzee has the capability to use human language.

Method: Gardner and Gardner

researched on an infant female chimp called Washoe. Researchers whereby detailed records keeping track of Washoe’s progress over extended period of time,32 months.

Gardner and Gardner (1969) “Washoe”

Participant Protection

● Washoe might have experienced pain, since she was removed from her natural environment and living in a cage learning sign language

● Researchers attempted to teach Washoe ASL. (American Sign Language)

● Researcher caught Washoe, estimated to be around 8-14 months old and brought her up as a human child in America.

Consent

● As an animal, Washoe could not be fully informed about the study conducted on her.

● Could not give consent● Washoe could not understand what the study was for.● Not possible to gain informed consent

Withdrawl

● Washoe couldn’t express any desires to withdraw from the study due to language and communication restrictions.

Debriefing

● Washoe was not debriefed since she was an animal

Conclusion

● Ethical consideration is included in all researches.

● Slight exception for consent and deception

● Animal research has slightly different ethical considerations.

Citations

● "IB Guides." IB Psychology Notes. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015. <http://ibguides.com/psychology/notes/explain-how-principles-that-define-the-cognitive-level-of-analysis-may-be-demonstrated-in-research-that-is-theories-and-or-studies>

● "Genie (feral Child)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genie_(feral_child)>.

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