Social Psychology Research: Bias and Ethics

In the research about environmental motive concerns across cultures focused on two primary groups. European New Zealanders and Asian New Zealanders. Environmental concern can either be biospheric, egoistic, or altruistic and the purpose of the research was to figure out not only which category each group fell into, but to also see how they were either alike or differed. The main findings showed that Asian New Zealanders were significantly higher in egoistic concerns than European New Zealanders. European New Zealanders significantly higher in biospheic concern. They differed on what was predicted as proenvironmental behavior. European New Zealanders showed that both biospheric and altruistic concerns predicted proenvironmental behavior whereas for European New Zealanders, biospheric concern predicted it.

Although they used a three-factor model that has been supported by more than 20 countries in their research to help control bias, I feel it does nothing to stop it. First of all, it’s majority against minority and sometimes native versus immigrant. The sociocultural situation between all of them differ. Likewise, the standards as far as what’s acceptable in their culture and or home country differs. The education as to how each culture deals with those concerns also likely differ. However, I credit them for addressing that within their research. When looking at the two groups culturally, we’re also looking at two different societies. One group, European New Zealanders, are highly individualistic whereas the other is collectivist.

The study is presented as a psychological differences study since it does not test specific hypotheses regarding specific cultural differences. This leaves the door open for other research to come behind them that actually tests specific hypotheses with regards to those differences. The research is not final by any means. I feel that the research ethically since it used an anonymous questionnaire. It was a random sample that included both of the ethnic groups and each group was subjected to the same questions. Also, the groups both came from the same educational background. There was little room for unethical behavior unless the questions were one sided. I wouldn’t implement any additional strategies.