issues and debates Flashcards
reductionism-holism
the best way to explain behaviour is breaking down complex phenomena into simple components // human behaviour is too complicated to be broken down- best way to understand behaviour is to look at the system as a whole.
benefits of reductionism
very scientific, reductionism underlies most psychological research as behaviour can be tested by reducing it to a set of variables.
limitations of reductionism
can simplify complex behaviour, but it is limited in explanation.
benefits of holism
takes into account the complex interactions of phenomena- the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
limitations of holism
much less scientific, can be difficult to navigate and predict.
determinism-free will
no behaviour occurs by chance, all caused by biology, upbringing and environment- over which we have no control // everything happens by chance, no behaviour is predetermined. can become anything we choose.
benefits of determinism
more scientific as it isolates variable to examine them under scientific conditions. more credible to society. emphasis on cause and effect allows positive changes to be made.
limitations of determinism
often reductionist as views cannot relate to everyday experience. cannot always predict behaviour, which it implies. does not account for individual experiences.
benefits of free-will
emphasis on the individual. fits in with societal view of individual responsibility.
limitations of free-will
concept of free will may be culturally relative. unscientific, no clear term of what it is and it cannot be tested.
nature-nurture
all behaviour is predetermined by hereditary, innate factors. present at birth or emerges as people mature // all behaviour is result of interactions with the environment, no predispositions to behaviour at birth.
benefits of nature-nurture
distinction helps us identify which behaviours are inherited or learned, and can be helpful to discover some behaviours are inherited, rather than due to poor upbringing.
limitations of nature-nurture
reductionist and simplistic to divide explanations as they often combine. discovering behaviours are inherited may lead us to ignore the effects of the environment.
individual-situational
something about the person is used to explain behaviour // something about the situation is used to explain behaviour.
benefits of individualism
holistic- it gives a complete understanding of an individual. helps to balance the neglect of uniqueness in psychology. good for counselling.
limitations of individualism
can replicate and predict, but not generalise to other people- limits usefulness. the idea that people are so unique they cannot be compared is contradicted by psychological research.
benefits of situationalism
links to science and determinism- credible. the ability to generalise and compare is useful in predicting and controlling behaviour.
limitations of situationalism
leaves us with a superficial understanding of one person. people might get different questions wrong, but still get the same score.
psychology as a science
needs to be objective, falsifiable, and replicable.
ethnocentrism
perceiving your own culture as being superior to another
ethics
respect- informed consent, right to withdraw, confidentiality.
competence- work within ability, consult with colleagues.
responsibility- protection of participants, debrief.
integrity- deception.
social sensitivity
cost-benefit analysis, potential harm, avoiding stigma, political consequences.
usefulness
if research adds to our knowledge and can be applied to real world situations.
what is deductive reasoning?
something is theorised and a hypothesis is created to test it
what is inductive reasoning?
taking specific information and making a broader generalisation
what is objectivity?
not imposing own ideas when interpreting research
what is falsifiability?
whether a hypothesis can be proved true or false by evidence
what is a paradigm?
a common set of general laws
‘psychology does not have a unified paradigm, but the approaches do’
what is empirical?
information gathered through direct experience
what is causality?
whether a cause and effect relationship can be established
arguments for psychology as a science
it is a research based subject with investigation at its core; uses the scientific method by manipulating IVs and using controls; creates hypotheses to be tested empirically like other sciences
arguments against psychology as a science
its subject matter is humans, which cannot be investigated in the same way
what are individualist cultures?
cultures that emphasise self-interest and of one’s immediate family, personal autonomy, initiative and achievement
what are collectivist cultures?
cultures that emphasise loyalty to the group, interdependence, and the belief that group decisions are more important than individual ones
