Issues And Debates

Question 1

Nature nurture debate
Intro

Answer 1

The nature nurture debate discusses wether behaviour is due to nature such as genes or nurture such as the environment and our experiences

Question 2

Nature nurture debate
Nature AO1

Answer 2

Nativist psychologists believe in the importance of heredity which is the idea that behaviour ,both emotional and physical, are innate and are passed on from one generation to the next through genes.
For example bowlbys monotropic theory theory states that babies are born genetically predisposed to form attachment through behaviours such as social releasers because it will help them to survive therefore attachment is innate

Question 3

Nature nurture debate
Nurture AO1

Answer 3

Empiricists argue that the mind is a blank slate at birth and our behaviour is shaped by our enviroment and experiences.
For example behaviourist psychologist explain attachment in terms of classical conditioning where food the unconditioned stimulus is associated with the mother the neutral stimulus which eventually through the repeated pairing the mother becomes the conditioned stimulus which brings the conditioned response of pleasure. Therefore attachment is a learned behaviour.

Question 4

Nature nurture debate
Changes in recent years

Answer 4

It is difficult to answer the nature nurture debate as environmental influences take place from birth of birth.
For example it is difficult to see if the high concordance rates in monozygotic twins such as in OCD of 87% are the result of shared genetics or shared upbringing
Thus changing the nature nurture debate in the recent years, so instead of trying to decide wether a behaviour is due to nature or nurture psychologists are now more concerned with the individual contribution of each

Question 5

Interactionist approach on nature nurture debate

Answer 5

Interactionist approach takes a stance between extremes nature and extreme nurture debate and argues that our behaviour influenced by both the environment and our genetics: diathesis stress model
Approach states that our genetics give us a predisposition to act a certain way but our genetics are influenced by our environment
For example ocd, a person may have inherited the SERT gene which makes them vulnerable to developing ocd however they may not develop the disorder if they do not encounter a stressful event

Question 6

Evaluation points for nature nurture debate

Answer 6

Nature side can not be the full explanation of human behaviour
Interactionist approach
Constructivism

Question 7

PEEL: nature can not be the full explanation
Nature nurture debate

Answer 7

Nature nurture can not be the full explanation
As if genes were 100% responsible for behaviour then monozygotic twins who share 100% of genes should have 100% concordance rates
This is not the case as for example in the biological explanation there is only 48% concordance rates between monozygotic twins
Therefore there must be other explanations for behaviour such as the environment and our experiences

Question 8

PEEL: interactionist approach
Nature nurture debate

Answer 8

A more appropriate way of explaining behaviour would be the interactionist approach
Argues that genetics give us a predisposition to behaviour which are then influenced by our environment and experiences
For example Tienari found that Finnish adoptees who had a biological relatives with schizophrenia and had dysfunctional relationships with their adoptive families were more likely to develop schizophrenia
Therefore showing that both sides of the argument both nature and nurture had an influence on wether the individual developed schizophrenia further supporting the idea of interactionism

Question 9

PEEL: constructivism
Nature nurture debate

Answer 9

Further adding to the idea that environment and genetics can not be separated is constructivism.
This is where an individual creates their own nurture by actively seeks out an environment which is appropriate for their nature.
For example naturally aggressive children will feel more comfortable aground other children who show similar behaviours and choose their environment according to this
This further complicates the issue of separating nature and nurture and their influences on behaviour

Question 10

Define universality

Answer 10

Universality is the idea that conclusions drawn from research can be applied to everybody regardless of time period, gender or culture
For example Milgram research done on males is applied to everyone

Question 11

Intro to gender bias

Answer 11

When psychological research or theories offer a view that does not represent the experience and behaviour of either men or women.
Feminist psychologists have argued that psychology has been built on the biased research of male psychologists and has been shaped to uphold male superiority. There are three main types of gender bias: androcentrism, alpha bias, beta bias

Question 12

Define androcentrism

Answer 12

Research that is based only on males which is then used as the standard for both genders.
If our understanding of what is normal behaviour comes from male only samples then any behaviour that deviates form this is seen as abnormal which leads to female behaviour being misunderstood. For example research into conformity by asch was conducted on a male only sample and then generalised to both sexes therefore if females conformed more than 37% of the time then they may have been seen as abnormal

Question 13

Define Beta bias

Answer 13

Research misinterpret behaviour as they ignore or minimise difference between male and females thus important aspects of females experience is ignored so limits any conclusions drawn. This often occurs when male only samples are used and the results are applied to both genders.
For example the fight or flight response has been described as universal but much of the early research was conducted in male animals

Question 14

Define alpha bias

Answer 14

Research and theories misinterpret behaviours as it exaggerates differences between male and females serving to reinforce gender stereotypes and usually to devalue women as women are often not seen as the norm
For example research on relationships (Buss) has shown that males seek a partner that is young and attractive whereas females seek a man with resources reinforcing the stereotypes

Question 15

Evaluation points for gender bias

Answer 15

Promotes inappropriate gender stereotypes
Gender bias is further emphasised by male psychologists
Universality is not possible

Question 16

PEEL: promotes inappropriate stereotypes
Gender bias

Answer 16

Alpha bias research such as evolutionary psychology promotes inappropriate stereotypes
Findings suggest that females are dependent on males which can lead to feelings of inferiority and promote discrimination.
Evolutionary psychology emphasises any gender differences are innate and so due to genetics which gives á biological justification for gender bias within society
Thus gender bias within research can provide a scientific reasoning to deny women opportunities within employment and can validate discrimination which can impact the economy

Question 17

PEEL: gender bias is further emphasised by male psychologist
Gender bias

Answer 17

Gender bias is also further emphasised by make psychologists and the use of lab experiments which are argued to favour male ppt
Lab experiments produce an inequitable relationship with male researchers being able to use their power to label females as irrational or unreasonable.
Tavis argues that the research methods that are used should be adapted to enable females more equality in research such as more qualitative data collection methods such as interviews to fully understand female behaviour
Therefore if we are to continue methodology it may have negative consequences for women which generalised beyond the setting of the experiment.

Question 18

PEEL:by arguing male and females shud be studied differently emphasises that there are gender differences
Gender bias

Answer 18

However by arguing that men and women should be studied differently emphasises that there are gender differences so universality is not possible and can not be avoided.
It is not possible to look at research through completely objective eyes as we all have a gender
However researchers should give consideration to the matter of gender bias within their research .
For example Milgram only studied male participants as this was relevant to his aim of understanding the behaviour of Nazi soldiers who would have all been male. This recognition is important in ensuring the effects of gender bias are minimised when conducting psychological research and generalising theories to both genders