issues and debates

Question 1

what is free will?

Answer 1

this is the notion that humans can make choices and their behaviour and thoughts are not determinedly biological or external forces

Question 2

what is determinism?

Answer 2

this is the view that an individual’s behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external factors rather than an individual’s will do something

Question 3

what is idiographic and nomothetic approach?

Answer 3

idiographic. .. Focuses on uniqueness of the individual, in-depth details using qualitative methods (e.g. case studies, unstructured interviews).
nomothetic. .. Focuses on groups of people to establish general laws of behaviour using quantitative methods (e.g. lab experiments, structured questionnaires, statistical analyses).

Question 4

an example of the idiographic approach?

Answer 4

humanistic approach and psychodynamic approach

Question 5

an example of the nomothetic approach?

Answer 5

behaviourist approach and biological approach

Question 6

what are ethical implications?

Answer 6

the consequences of any psychological research, (studies or theories) - in terms of the effects on individual participants, groups and wider societies .

Question 7

what is social sensitivity?

Answer 7

research is socially sensitive when it has potentially negative consequences for groups represented in the research.