The researcher often served as what was called the "watch queen," that is, a lookout to prevent individuals who might cause trouble from interrupting the sexual activity. In general, interruptions of the activity occurred due to the presence of local teenagers or police. This activity was technically illegal when the study was done (in the 1960s), so it would have been troublesome if the police arrived on the scene.
He gathered his information on 50 sex acts (mostly oral sex) involving over 100 men. Then he obtained personal information about these individuals. He copied down their license plate numbers, went to the police and, giving a false cover story, obtained names and addresses based on the license plates, and subsequently interviewed the men. He informed them that it was part of a marketing research project.
Analysis of responses to the interview revealed that "when the characteristics of the participants were compared with those of typical males from the same urban area, no striking differences in terms of occupations, marital status, socioeconomic characteristics, and the like were found. Aside from their participation in clandestine homosexual activity, there was little to distinguish these men from typical adult males" (Reynolds, 1982, p. 68).
Questions
1. What are the ethical issues that need to be considered to see if this study could be regarded as ethical? Identify three potential problems and say why they are problematic. You can argue that the problems are not really problems. Make an argument to counter each of the three potential problems you identified. (6 pts)
2. Are there realistic alternatives were there to the methodology used by the researcher? The research was conducted in the 1960s, a time when homosexual behavior was illegal, society was very restrictive, and very few people would be willing to admit to such behaviors. Explain your thoughts. (2 pts)
3. What were the potential benefits to this study? (2 pts)
4. Should this study have been done? Explain your response in terms of ethical issues you mentioned above. Do not just argue that you do or don't like it. Instead, make your arguments and consider how you would respond to counterarguments. (5 pts)
Humphreys, L. (1970). Tearoom Trade: Impersonal Sex in Public Places. Chicago:
Aldine.
Reynolds, P. D. (1982). Ethics and Social Science Research. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Copyright: Barney Beins, Department of Psychology, Ithaca College