Issues and Debates Flashcards
What is universality?
characteristics of humans that can be applied to all regardless of differences
What is Gender bias?
Treating one sex differently from another (usually misrepresenting women in psychology)
What is Androcentrism?
When normal behaviour is based off of male standards
What is Alpha bias?
Research that exaggerates the differences between men and women
What is Beta bias?
Research that minimises the differences between men and women
What research disproves Alpha bias done by Daphna Joel?
Previous beliefs that women have better vocab skills while men have better spatial skills were disproven through brain scans by Daphna Joel showing how differences in men and women are often exaggerated
What is meant by cultural bias?
when phenomena is interpreted through the lens of ones own culture
What is ethnocentrism?
When other cultures are judged by the standards and values of another
What is meant by cultural relativism?
Cultures can only be understood within specific contexts
What is meant by free will?
Humans can make their own choices
What is meant by determinism?
Behaviour is shaped through internal and external factors
What are the five types of determinism?
Hard
soft
biological
Environmental
Psychic determinism
What is the difference between hard and soft determinism?
Hard = All behaviour is caused by something
Soft = behaviour is predictable but may be influenced by restricted free will
What is biological, Environmental and Psychic determinism?
biological = biology causes behaviour
Environmental = Environment causes behaviour
Psychic = Unconscious desires drives behaviour
What is the nature nurture debate?
whether or not human behaviour is caused by our inheritance or our upbringing
What is meant by the term heredity?
genetic transmission from one generation to another
Define Environment in the context of nature/nurture
Influence on human behaviour that is not genetic
What is the interactionalist approach?
when biological and psychological factors are both considered when explaining behaviour
What is the Holism vs Reductionism debate?
Whether or not the human should be studied as a whole or as smaller broken down parts
Define Holism
Looking at a system as a whole
Define reductionism
Looking at smaller constituent parts
What is biological reductionism?
behaviour is explained at the lowest biological level such as hormones
What is environmental reductionism?
explaining behaviour based off environmental stimulus
What is the idiographic approach?
Research approach that focuses on the individual
What is the nomothetic approach?
Looks to explain human behaviour as a general principle or law
What are ethical implications in terms of psychological studies?
the effect research has on participants in any way
What is social sensitivity surrounding psychological studies?
when the carried out research surrounds sensitive issues
How does Cyril Burt show how poor research design can be an ethical issue in psychology?
Cyril Burt found that intelligence is measurable by the age of 11 which led to the 11+ exam. His findings were later proven to be false and despite being publicly discredited the 11+ is still in use today
