Debates

Question 1

Psychology as a science: Positives

Answer 1

Some areas are falsifiable (directly observable)
e.g. Physiological approach - Casey

Some areas are nomothetic so have underlying assumptions that are universal
e.g. Physiological approach - Sperry

Question 2

Psychology as a science: Negatives

Answer 2

Not a shared set of assumptions
e.g.
e.g.

Some areas are not objective/too subjective to be considered a science
e.g. Psychodynamic approach - Freud

Question 3

Determinism vs Free will: Positives

Answer 3

Useful as if we know what controls our behaviour, we can use this to predict behaviours and intervene
e.g. Physiological approach - Casey

More scientific as favour experimental methodology so highly controlled
e.g. Physiological approach - Sperry

Question 4

Determinism vs Free will: Negatives

Answer 4

Removal of responsibility
e.g. Developmental approach - Bandura

Passive recipients which we would not like to think of ourselves as - surely humans have some free will???

Question 5

Reductionism vs Holism: Positives

Answer 5

Scientific- quicker and easier to look at one variable at a time
e.g. Physiological approach - Casey

Useful as we know which factor to intervene with
e.g. Social approach - Milgram

Question 6

Reductionism vs Holism: Negatives

Answer 6

Too simple to explain complex behaviours- surely we need to be more holistic???

Invalid- how can we possibly separate variables accurately?

Question 7

Ethnocentrism vs Cultural relativism: Positives

Answer 7

Quick and easy to test one culture/area (cheaper)
e.g. Developmental approach - Bandura

If biological research then culture may not matter
e.g. Physiological approach - Sperry

Question 8

Ethnocentrism vs Cultural relativism: Negatives

Answer 8

Can lead to the idea that one culture is more superior
e.g. Individual differences - Gould

Hard to generalise
e.g. Developmental approach - Chaney

Question 9

Socially sensitive research: Positives

Answer 9

Useful to understand minority groups
e.g. Individual differences - Baron-Cohen

Greater good of society
e.g. Social approach- Milgram

Question 10

Socially sensitive research: Negatives

Answer 10

Labelling
e.g. Individual differences - Gould

Unethical
e.g. Social approach - Milgram

Question 11

Ethics: Positives

Answer 11

Deception is good to see more natural behaviours which increases validity
e.g. Developmental approach - Bandura
e.g. Social approach - Piliavin

Question 12

Ethics: Negatives

Answer 12

Difficult to replicate
e.g. Social approach - Milgram

Too much violation of rights which will damage the reputation of psychology
e.g. Social approach - Milgram

Question 13

Individual vs Situational: Positives

Answer 13

Situational is useful as the situation is easy to manipulate to gain the desired behaviours
e.g. Social approach - Milgram

Looking into both elements could reveal a complex interaction between both which will trigger new research
e.g. Social approach - Bocchiaro

Question 14

Individual vs Situational: Negatives

Answer 14

Individual could lead to labelling
e.g. Individual differences - Gould

Invalid and reductionist as you have to isolate one from another
e.g. Social approach - Piliavin

Question 15

Nature vs Nurture: Positives

Question 16

Nature vs Nurture: Negatives