There are a number of ethical considerations in research studies at the biological

level of analysis, but particularly, one must provide participants with a protection
against physical and mental harm, as our biology is at the core of our safety. This is
evident in the David Reimer study by Money (1974). An identical twin boy named
Bruce, his brother being Brian, had his penis burnt off during a circumcision
accident when he was a baby. After such an accident, the boys parents sought out
advice from Money. As an experiment to confirm his theory of gender neutrality,
Money advised the parents to castrate Bruce, and from then on live his life as a
female called Brenda. At age 14, after she had become suicidal, the parents told
Brenda that she was born a boy, not a girl. After this point, though the now David
had become not suicidal, and had surgeries in order to construct him a male
anatomy. However, there were lasting effects from the experiment for both the
twins, to the point where both Brian and David eventually committed suicide.

Outside of the deception used by Money in such an experiment, the primary
problem with such an occasion was the lack of protection that Money gave the
participants. Even the concept of the experiment is an ethical violation;
transgendered people have to suffer through great identity crisis, as they try to
define who and what they are. This is evident in David Reimer, as he is quoted as
saying he never considered himself as a female in his childhood, and the estrogen
injections and frilly dresses did not serve to make him feel female. In searching
for the gender he really was, David became suicidal when he was 13, and although
the revealing of his castration served to give him justification for his gender-
placidity, the emotional effects of the identity crisis stayed with him. Furthermore,
to test and differentiate between the gender qualities that the two twins displayed,
Money is cited as forcing the twins to perform sexual acts. In extreme cases, the
twins were told to mimic something similar to sexual intercourse, as Money forced
Brian to place his crotch against Bruces buttocks. These sexual acts inflicted an
emotional trauma upon the boys; once again highlighting the lack of protection
against physical and mental harm that Money gave the twins.

It is evident that there are ethical considerations and guidelines that must be
followed in studies relating to the biological level of analysis, in order to avoid such
tragedies that the Reimer family experienced.




IB Psychology



Outline one ethical consideration related to one research study at the biological level of
analysis [8 marks]*



The command term outline requires candidates to give a brief account or summary of one
ethical consideration in relation to one research study at the biological level of analysis. Ethical
considerations can be positive (what guidelines could be followed) or negative (what guidelines
were not followed).
The focus of the response should be on the ethical consideration and not on the description of a
study.


If a candidate outlines more than one ethical consideration in relation to one or more research
studies, credit should be given only to the first ethical consideration outlined in relation to the
first research study used.


If a candidate outlines an ethical consideration but with no link made to a research study at
BLOA, a maximum of [3 marks] should be awarded.


If a candidate describes a study but there is no link to an ethical consideration, [0 marks] should
be awarded.


Section A markbands
0 The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors
below.
1 to 3 There is an attempt to answer the question, but knowledge and
understanding are limited, often inaccurate, or of marginal relevance to
the question.
4 to 6 The question is partially answered. Knowledge and understanding
are accurate, but limited. Either the command term is not effectively
addressed or the response is not sufficiently explicit in answering the
question.
7 to 8 The question is answered in a focused and effective manner and
meets the demands of the command term. The response is supported by
appropriate and accurate knowledge and understanding of research. An
excellent answer. This is not normally a study Id advocate using, as there
are many discrepancies between Moneys account and those of his
research team, and the account David and his family have given the
media. Just something to be aware of.