Psychology

9/1/23, 7:45 PM Master Template

https://go.view.usg.edu/d2l/le/content/2807454/viewContent/56455954/View 1/6

LESSON 2:  RESEARCH METHODS

Ethics

Ethics Amy Cuddy and... Ethical Issues...

Ethics Psychologists ask many questions. Throughout this course you will be introduced to many of these. But what about the questions we should ask of psychology? For example, are there ethical and moral guidelines that govern how animals, and even humans, can be used in laboratory research? This section in your text briefly highlights just a few of these issues. Consider them deeply.

Amy Cuddy and Replication:  the Conversation

Listen

9/1/23, 7:45 PM Master Template

https://go.view.usg.edu/d2l/le/content/2807454/viewContent/56455954/View 2/6

Let's take a closer look at an ethical issue that has risen to the level of a national dialogue in recent years - the idea of replication in science.  Replicability refers to the ability of a researcher's findings to be re-produced by other scientists using the same procedures and conditions.  At the heart of this current ethical crisis is the public's trust in science.  After all, much of the modern world is built upon science and its findings - we depend on our science to be a reflection of the truth (how things really are).  People often take findings from science and immediately put them into action, changing the way we teach children at school, changing the way doctors and nurses interact with patients, how we treat mental illness, and thousands of other important applications.  So when a research finding comes along that sounds too good to be true, we are especially keen to make sure the finding is robust - that is, that it stands up to many tests by other research labs - can they get the same finding to occur?  

Among the many research findings that have been called into question, particularly from the sub-field of social psychology, is the finding by Amy Cuddy about body posture and its potential effect on making you feel powerful.  Her initial finding was that if you struck a power pose (think Wonder Woman or Superman standing tall), you would immediately feel more confident, which has obvious implications for giving sales presentations and lectures, etc. 

9/1/23, 7:45 PM Master Template

https://go.view.usg.edu/d2l/le/content/2807454/viewContent/56455954/View 3/6

But others have had a hard time replicating her results.  The longer this controversy has gone on, the more people are starting to question the motives (fairly or unfairly) of the original researcher - as a result of her study, she sold many books, went on a lucrative lecture tour, and earned one of the top professor positions in the country.  Read through these articles linked in the images below to see the evolution of the debate, and watch Dr. Cuddy's TED talk (one of hte most-watched TED talks of all time) to see the controversy for yourself - scientific debate is alive and well!  This is very much a living science!

Your body language may shape who you are | Amy Your body language may shape who you are | Amy ……

9/1/23, 7:45 PM Master Template

https://go.view.usg.edu/d2l/le/content/2807454/viewContent/56455954/View 4/6

9/1/23, 7:45 PM Master Template

https://go.view.usg.edu/d2l/le/content/2807454/viewContent/56455954/View 5/6

Ethical Issues Involved in Conducting Research Visit the Simply Psychology website by clicking the image link below to learn more about the code of ethics in psychology, as well as some of the important ethical issues involved in conducting research.

9/1/23, 7:45 PM Master Template

https://go.view.usg.edu/d2l/le/content/2807454/viewContent/56455954/View 6/6