Debates Flashcards
What is the nature nurture debate
- nature argument sees the biological factors of genetic inheritance as the explanation for behaviour
- the nurture argument explains behaviour as being learnt or acquired through experiences in the environment
- an interaction it’s approach accept it’s a combination of both that explains behaviour
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the nature nurture debate
+ nature argument uses scientific studies and has practical applications like treatments
+ nurture argument also has practical applications and can also be tested using scientific lab conditions
- a purely nature or purely nurture debate would be reductionist
- scientific methods can lack ecological validity
What core studies link to the nature nurture debate
NATURE
- sperrys study is nature argument, the brain structure explains why they complete the tasks as they do
- kolberg also is nature argument, moral development is innate and pre determined set of stages that remain unchanged
NURTURE
- bandura is nurture because he argues aggression has been learnt through observing and imitating the behaviour of others
- chaney uses reinforcement to encourage use of funhaler so behaviour can be learnt
INTERACTIONIST
- Freuds study as the different stages occur as a result of maturation (nature) and how we come through them is a consequence of behaviour of others (nurture)
- blakemore and coopers study as we inherit a visual system (nature) but in order for it to develop properly we need the right environmental stimuli (nurture)
What is the reductionism holism debate
- reductionism attempts to break down behaviour into single factors such as individual genes or hormones
- holistic approach sees behaviour as too complex to be reduced to single explanations. We need to look at many aspects to explain behaviour
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the reductionism holism debate
+ reductionist approaches tend to use scientific methods, with quantitative data which allow a cause and effect to be established. Reducing behaviour makes it easier to create hypothesis
+ holistic explanations look more at the whole person and some argue this gives us a better understanding of human behaviour
- reductionist approaches may not fully explain behaviour as many factors impact behaviour
- holistic approaches may be unscientific as qualitative data is often used and open to researcher bias
What core studies link to the reductionism holism debate
REDUCTIONISM
- behavioural and biological approaches
- banduras research only looks at the impact of role models on aggressive behaviour and ignores factors like genes
- sperry only looks at how the hemisphere deconnection effects functioning
HOLISTIC
- social and individual differences areas
- mil grams study had many factors that believed to contribute to obedience levels like the different personality types, prompts of the researcher
- Freud looked at the role of inherited and genetically determined maturation, combined with environmental factors, from the role our parents play on progress through psychosexual stages
What is the free will determinism debate
- free will argues that human beings are entirely free to act as they choose and bear responsibility for the outcome of their behaviour
- determinism argues we lack control over our behaviour
- hard determinism is where all human behaviour is seen as a consequence of biological factors beyond our control
- soft determinism is the belief that as humans we do have a choice however it is accepted that free will is often constrained by other factors
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the freewill determinism debate
+ deterministic tends to be scientific in controlled environments with quantitative data that’s allow cause and effect to be established
+ determinism allows us to make predictions about behaviour if we know what determines behaviour
+ freewill encourages people to feel that they can bring about a change in their behaviour and places them in control
- scientific studies used by deterministic can lack ecological validity
- freewill can be unscientific with qualitative data
What core studies link to the freewill determinism debate
DETERMINISM
- bandura believes that learning from the environment determines our behaviour and we can predict future behaviour based on influences such as aggressive models
- sperry argued that different functions are located within certain areas of the brain and that these cause behaviour
SOFT DETERMINISM
- mil gram showed that situational factors are a influence on likelihood to obey however he also showed not all participants obey up to 450v so there is some freewill involved
What is the ethics debate
- ethical considerations include consent, confidentiality, right to withdraw, protection from harm
What are the strengths and weaknesses of ethics
+ progresses the understanding of psychology, research can be used to benefit society
- public lose trust in researchers and may not want to take part
- causes psychological or physical harm to humans and animals
How does ethics link to core studies
- banduras study could be seen as unethical because children were exposed to aggression in the environment they wouldn’t normally expect to see aggression. However this has advanced psychological knowledge because it showed us the dangers of children watching aggression
- blakemore and coopers research can be unethical because animals can’t give consent, withdraw and may have suffered as a result of research
what is the social sensitivity debate
- branch of ethics that deals with the impact that controversial research might have
- factors such as culture, religion, age with have an effect on social sensitivity
- certain research can encourage prejudice and discrimination leading to individuals feeling stigmatised
what are the strengths and weaknesses of the social sensitivity debate
+ socially sensitive research advances psychological knowledge with can improve quality of life for certain people
- research may lead to people feeling stigmatised and make people feel like they have little control over what happens to them
how does the social sensitivity debate link to core studies
- baron cohens study of tom may be considered socially sensitive as people with autism may already feel discriminated against, however this research can be used to help people overcome problems associated with impaired tom
- hancocks study may be socially sensitive as they analysed language to identify psychopaths, and use it to identify psychopathy in children
