individual/situational Flashcards
What is the individual/situational debate?
Does a person behave in a certain way because of who they are at the situation they are in
Individual explanation
The way a person behaves is according to their natural personality or characteristics
Situational explanation
The way a person behaves is based on the circumstances.
Studies that are situational
Milgram and Pilliavin
Strengths of individual debate
It is supported by evidence of individual differences between people
Weaknesses of individual debates
It makes it difficult to predict (or control) how people will behave in a given situation
Strengths of situational debate
It is supported by evidence of people being influenced by situations
Weaknesses of situational debate
It can be used as an excuse to explain away bad behaviour
