issues and debates Flashcards
determinism AO1
all behaviour is determined and predictable.
environmental (ext) determinism AO1
behaviour is caused by some sort of outside influence
skinner argued that free will / freedom is an illusion, we may think we do but the probability of any behaviour is determined by our previous experiences
biological (int) determinism AO1
behaviour is determined by our biological system (eg nervous system)
psychic (int) determinism AO1
freud believed childhood experiences and unconscious motivations determine us
freud thought that free will was an illusion because he felt that the causes of our behaviour is unconscious and predictable
hard determinism AO1
sees free will as an illusion, believing that every event and action has a cause
soft determinism AO1
middle ground
we have choices but our choices is constrained by external factors eg being poor doesn’t make you steal, but it may make you more likely to take that route through desperation.
determinism strengths AO3
its scientific and allows cause and effect relationships to be established
it gives plausible explanations for behaviour backed up by evidence
determinism limitations AO3
doesn’t account for individual differences - by creating general laws of behaviour, determinism underestimates the uniqueness of humans and their freedom
hard determinism suggest that hard criminals can’t be held accountable for their actions; it reduces the individuals responsibility. they could say it was due to their upbringing, environment or genetics therefore displacing responsibility and detaching themselves from the crimes
nomothetic AO1
- study human behaviour through the development of general principles and universal laws
- produce general laws of human behaviour
- studying large numbers of people to establish ways in which people are similar
- quantitative data
examples of nomothetic approach
- reductionist, determinist, employ scientific methods of investigation
- Much of the research conducted by behaviourist, cognitive and biological psychologists would meet the criteria of the nomothetic approach.
- Skinner as it is environmentally reductionist and determinist.
idiographic AO1
- focuses more on the individual case rather than aiming to formulate general laws of behaviour
- studied as unique entities
- qualitative data
- describing the richness of human experience and gain insight into the persons unique way of viewing the world.
examples of idiographic approach
- humanistic psych; investigates unique experience ‘on its own merits’
- psychodynamic approach; Freuds use of case study methods
nomothetic as scientific AO3
The nomothetic approach is seen as far more scientific than the idiographic approach; takes an evidence based, objective approach to formulate laws.
This enables us to make predictions about how people are likely to react in certain circumstances e.g. Zimbardo’s findings about how prisoners and guards react in a prison environment.
nomothetic limitation AO3
Predictions can be made about groups but these may not apply to individuals.
Approach has been accused of losing sight of the ‘whole person’.
idiographic focuses on the individual AO3
A major strength of the idiographic approach is its focus on the individual. Gordon Allport argues that it is only by knowing the person as a person that we can predict what the person will do in any given situation.
idiographic as time consuming AO3
The idiographic approach is time consuming. It takes a lot of time / money to study individuals in depth. If a researcher is using the nomothetic approach once a questionnaire, psychometric test or experiment has been designed data can be collected relatively quickly.
ethical implications AO1
impact psych research have in terms of other people.
Ethical guidelines help protect those involved in research. However, it’s more difficult to guard against the social impact of psychological research.
Researchers may have little to say in how their findings are represented in the media
social sensitivity AO1
Siebel & Stanley 'studies that have potential consequences or implications, either directly for the ppts in the research or for the class of individuals represented by research' they tackle taboo subjects eg sexuality racism
ethical issues in socially sensitive research (3)
implications
uses/public policy
the validity of the research
ethical issues in social sensitivity: implications
wider effect of research needs to be considered, however implications of research may be difficult to predict from outset
ethical issues in social sensitivity: uses/ public policy
used for?
if wrong purposes?
gov purposes / shape public policy
ethical issues in social sensitivity: the validity of the research
some findings presented as objective in the past have turned out to be highly suspiciousHowever, many modern social constructionist researchers are much more up front about their own biases and preconceptions
social sensitivity AO3
studies of underrepresented groups and issues may promote a greater sensitivity understanding of these
This can help reduce prejudice encourage and acceptance.
research into eyewitness testimony has reduced the risk of miscarriages of justice within the legal system.
This suggests that socially sensitive research may play a valuable role in society.
ethical implications AO3
preparation
questions phrasing and investigating may influence which findings are interpreted cross-cultural research may be blighted by cultural superiority and ethnocentrism on the part of the researchers.
this suggests that investigators must approach their research with an ‘open mind’ and be prepared to have their preconceptions challenged if they are to avoid misrepresenting minority groups
