Definitions

Question 1

Freewill

Answer 1

Some argue that human beings are entirely free to act as they choose and bear responsibility for the outcome of their behaviour

Question 2

Determinism

Answer 2

Suggests that we lack control of our behaviour and that it is predetermined by factors such as our genes and past experiences

Question 3

Useful

Answer 3

Research that enhances our knowledge and understanding, and can be applied to real world situations

Question 4

Limited usefulness

Answer 4

Research that may lack credibility, generalisibility or be difficult to apply outside of the research setting

Question 5

Nature

Answer 5

Sees. biological factors as the explanation for thinking and behaviour, such as genetics, nervous system and brain chemistry

Question 6

Nurture

Answer 6

Sees behaviour as learned or acquired through experiences in the environment

Question 7

Interactionist

Answer 7

Accepts that both nature and nurture factors are interconnnected and human behaviour is the product of both

Question 8

Reductionism

Answer 8

Attempts to break down behaviour into its constituent parts and using single factors such as individual genes or particular hormones to account for a given behaviour

Question 9

Holism

Answer 9

Sees human behaviour as too complex to be reduced to single explanations. Human beings are seen as more than the sum of their individual parts and there are many factors contributing to behaviour

Question 10

Individual

Answer 10

Individual explanations look to the person as the cause of behaviour, specifically their personalities or dispositions

Question 11

Situational

Answer 11

Situational explanations draw on situations around individuals such as their group members or the environment context