Issues And Debates Flashcards
Gender in Psychology
Psychologists aim to provide theories that are universal
- The problem is we are human and can produce biased views influenced by many factors
Two forms of Bias are
- Gender Bias - differential treatment/representation of the genders e.g: Fight or Flight misunderstanding
- Androcentrism - Theories are focused on the male view of the world, which means female views are neglected
Alpha and Beta Bias:
Alpha Bias is when the differences between men and women are exaggerated - e.g: Freud, women are inferior to men
Beta Bias is when differences between males and females are minimised
E.G: Assumption of Fight or Flight
AO3: Gender Bias (implications):
A problem with a gender bias is that it creates misleading assumptions about female behaviour. PMS is described as a problem and can see women being viewed negatively by society
A way to tackle this is by a Reverse Alpha Bias - emphasise the value of women by showing where they outperform men
Culture Bias in Psychology
This is when we judge people in terms of our own culture
- majority of Psy Research was down in America, which can only explain Western Culture, yet it is applied to everyone
Ethnocentrism:
- refers to the use of our own culture as a basis of judgement to others cultures.
Southern Values such as hearing voices are seen as normal in these cultures — yet we see these symptoms as abnormal
(Who is right then?)
An example of Ethnocentrism is Ainsworth’s Strange Situation 
Cultural Relativism:
Suggests that behaviour can only be properly understood if the cultural context is taken into consideration.
(There are no universal norms and values)
AO3: implications
Creates misleading assumptions such as the existence of a superior culture.
E.G: US army IQ test was culturally bias
To reduce culture bias we can produce research from where it is set
For example, Research into Africans can be done by Africans
Free will and Determinsm
Free Will - as humans we can choose our own thoughts and behaviour, suggests we can override biology rather than biology not being a factor
Determinism - suggests we don’t have conscious control over our thoughts and behaviour, we are controlled by internal or external factors acting upon us
There are two versions of this:
- Hard Determinism:
All human behaviour has an identifiable cause - Biology
- Soft Determinism:
Allows for some element of free will, however all human actions have a cause and people have cognitive mental control over their behaviour - Cognitive
The Three types of determinism are:
- Biological - behaviour is caused by genetics and brain structure
- Environmental - behaviour is caused by environment - such as associations
- Psychic - behaviour is mixed of innate drives and childhood experiences
AO3: for determinism
+ - Determinism has PAs
The theory of Sz being caused by dopamine has led to anti-psychotics
x - studies into MZ twins don’t always show a 1OO% concordance rate
x - incompatible with the legal system
AO3: for free-will
+ - The concept of free-will has face validity as everyday experiences give an impression of Free-Will
x - the experience of Mental Disorders goes against free-will, as sufferers can’t just choose to get rid of them
The Nature Vs Nurture Debate
+ Interactionist perspective (PKU)
The Nature-Nurture debate is the extent to which a persons development is due to innate factors, or environmental influences
Nature - human behaviour is innate and are focused on genetic inheritance (studied using family/Twin/adoption)
Behaviour is also adapted for survival
Nurture - humans arnt born with innate behaviours and that the mind is a blank slate at which experiences are written (SLT Approach)
The Relative Importance of Nature and Nurture:
This is the idea that we ask what is the importance of heredity and environment
- PKU is an example of the interactionist approach as it follows NATURE (Genetic Inheritance) by the influence of NURTURE (high protein diet)
(Mention interactionist approach)
AO3:
X - they are impossible to separate
You can’t tell if concordance rates of MZ is down to genetics or environment
X - Nurture effects nature
(LONDON TAXI DRIVERS HIPPOCAMPUS)
Holism vs Reductionism
Holism - the analysis of a person as a whole, rather than numerical data.
Reductionism - analysis behaviour by breaking it down into simpler components
- Types of Reductionism:
- Biological - reduce Behavior to a physical level of brain structure
- Environmental - reduce behaviour down to associations
The Levels of Explanation
Highest: Social Level
Middle: Psychological Level
Lowest: Biological Level
- all behaviour can be explained at each level
AO3: Holism
+ some behaviours require this explanation to see full context
x - vague and unscientific
AO3: Reductionism:
+ - scientifically valid
The basis of science is to reduce behaviours down
+ - BIOLOGICAL PAs
x - too simplistic
Can’t establish a complete understanding as the behaviour must be reduced down to ignore context
Idiographic and Nomothetic
Idiographic approach:
- Each individual is a unique case with their own subjective experiences
- No attempt is made to compare these to a larger group
- associated with methods that produce qualitative data (unstructured interviews
- Humanistic Approach favours this approach
Nomothetic Approach:
- studies large number of people to formulate general universal laws of human behaviour
- uses experimental methods to produce quantitative data (stats, percentages)
- Biological/Cog/Behaviourist favour this approach
AO3: Idiographic
+ - backs the individual, this has led to useful insights that challenge general laws such as: CLIVE CASE STUDY ON BRAIN
x - It’s a time consuming approach which can lack reliability and representativeness
AO3: Nomothetic:
+ - Highly scientific
x - subjective experience is ignored
Ethical Implications of Research
(Socially Sensitive research)
The effects of research on wider society
Ethical Implications:
- rights of Ps
- they way the findings are used and communicated to the public
- influence it has on public policy
- the way certain groups are seen
Socially Sensitive research:
The direct consequence for the participants in the research or the groups they represent
Studies around race and sexuality attract attention from the media
BIG EXAMPLE - Hernstein and Murray:
Used research to argue it was a waste of time to invest in disadvantaged groups as they are destined to be low achievers
! - this can lead to disadvantaged groups being seen as dumb which is unfair
To Deal with Socially Sensitive research
- Ensure all Ps are aware of what is involved
- Confidentiality
- Researchers must know the potential harm the findings could have
Sieber and Stanley ( Q.U.I.T )
AO3:
x - consequences are difficult to predict
x - can have extremely damaging effects on society such as the unjustified sterilisation of poor Black women (1960s)
+ it may be the use of questions that are socially sensitive, not the research
