Issues And Debates Flashcards
What is the primary focus of nomothetic approaches in psychology?
To establish general laws and principles that apply to large groups of people.
True or False: Idiographic approaches prioritize individual case studies over general laws.
True
Fill in the blank: Nomothetic research often uses _______ methods to gather data.
quantitative
What type of data is typically associated with idiographic approaches?
Qualitative data
Which approach is more likely to use statistical analysis?
Nomothetic
Short answer: Name one advantage of the idiographic approach.
It provides a deep understanding of individual experiences.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a characteristic of nomothetic research? A) Case studies B) Surveys C) Interviews D) Observations
B) Surveys
True or False: The idiographic approach is often criticized for lack of generalizability.
True
What is a key criticism of nomothetic approaches?
They may overlook individual differences and unique experiences.
Fill in the blank: A key figure associated with idiographic research is _______.
Carl Rogers
Short answer: What is a common methodology used in idiographic research?
In-depth interviews
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a nomothetic approach? A) Psychometric testing B) Case study C) Experiments D) Correlational studies
B) Case study
True or False: Idiographic approaches can provide insights into the complexity of human behavior.
True
What is one strength of using a nomothetic approach in psychology?
It allows for the development of predictive models and theories.
Fill in the blank: The _______ approach is often used in large-scale surveys and experiments.
nomothetic
Short answer: Give one example of a nomothetic method.
Surveys or experiments
Multiple choice: Which approach is more likely to focus on the subjective experience of the individual? A) Nomothetic B) Idiographic
B) Idiographic
True or False: Nomothetic research can accommodate diverse cultural perspectives.
False
What is the main goal of idiographic research?
To understand the unique aspects of individual cases.
Fill in the blank: _______ psychology often combines both nomothetic and idiographic approaches.
Humanistic
Short answer: Why might researchers choose a mixed-methods approach?
To benefit from both generalizability and depth of understanding.
Multiple choice: Which approach tends to produce more reliable results? A) Idiographic B) Nomothetic
B) Nomothetic
True or False: The idiographic approach is often more time-consuming than the nomothetic approach.
True
What is a common criticism of idiographic research?
It can be subjective and difficult to replicate.
Fill in the blank: The _______ approach is associated with the study of general behavior patterns.
nomothetic
What is free will?
The ability to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or divine intervention.
What is determinism?
The philosophical belief that all events, including moral choices, are determined completely by previously existing causes.
True or False: Free will suggests that individuals have complete control over their actions.
True
What is hard determinism?
The view that free will is an illusion and all actions are determined by external factors.
Fill in the blank: ___________ is the belief that some human actions are determined, but others are free.
Soft determinism
What is the compatibility issue in free will vs determinism?
The debate over whether free will can coexist with determinism.
Which psychologist is known for the concept of ‘free will’ in psychology?
Carl Rogers
True or False: Determinism denies the existence of moral responsibility.
True
What is the significance of the Libet experiment in the free will debate?
It suggested that brain activity precedes conscious decision-making, challenging the notion of free will.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a characteristic of soft determinism? A) Total control B) Some decisions are influenced by past events C) No influence from genetics
B) Some decisions are influenced by past events
What does the term ‘fatalism’ refer to?
The belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable.
Fill in the blank: A key argument for determinism is based on ___________ influences.
biological
What role does neuroscience play in the free will vs determinism debate?
Neuroscience examines the brain processes underlying decision-making, which can challenge the notion of free will.
True or False: Libertarianism in the context of free will supports the idea that individuals have the freedom to choose.
True
What is the principle of sufficient reason?
The principle that everything must have a reason or cause.
Multiple Choice: Which philosophical stance argues that every event has a cause? A) Libertarianism B) Determinism C) Existentialism
B) Determinism
What does ‘moral responsibility’ refer to in the context of free will?
The idea that individuals can be held accountable for their actions.
Fill in the blank: The debate over free will and determinism is often linked to ___________ ethics.
moral
What is agent causation?
The theory that individuals can cause actions without being determined by prior events.
True or False: According to soft determinism, free will exists but is limited by external factors.
True
What is the impact of cultural perspectives on the free will vs determinism debate?
Cultural beliefs can influence the perception of individual agency and responsibility.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a criticism of determinism? A) It undermines personal responsibility B) It supports free will C) It ignores biological factors
A) It undermines personal responsibility
What is the concept of ‘neurodeterminism’?
The idea that our brain processes determine our thoughts and actions, limiting free will.
Fill in the blank: The ___________ view holds that free will is an illusion created by complex brain processes.
neuroscientific
What role does existentialism play in the free will vs determinism debate?
Existentialism emphasizes individual freedom and choice, often opposing deterministic views.
True or False: The free will debate has implications for the justice system.
True
What is the ‘nature’ aspect in the nature vs nurture debate?
The ‘nature’ aspect refers to genetic or hereditary influences on behavior and personality.
What does ‘nurture’ refer to in the context of the nature vs nurture debate?
‘Nurture’ refers to environmental factors, including upbringing, culture, and life experiences.
True or False: The nature vs nurture debate suggests that both genetics and environment contribute to human behavior.
True
Fill in the blank: The nature vs nurture debate is significant in understanding __________.
human behavior
Which psychologist is known for emphasizing the role of nature in intelligence?
Sir Francis Galton
What is a common argument for the nurture side of the debate?
Environmental factors can shape personality and behavior significantly.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of a nature influence? A) Parenting style B) Genetic predisposition C) Socioeconomic status
B) Genetic predisposition
What does the term ‘epigenetics’ refer to in the nature vs nurture debate?
Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression caused by environmental factors.
True or False: Identical twins raised apart provide evidence for the nature side of the debate.
True
What research method is often used to study the nature vs nurture debate?
Twin studies
Fill in the blank: The interactionist approach suggests that nature and nurture __________.
interact with each other
Which theory posits that both genetic and environmental factors are important in development?
The biopsychosocial model
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a nurture influence? A) Genetic disorders B) Family environment C) Biological sex
B) Family environment
What is the main focus of behavioral psychology in the context of the nature vs nurture debate?
Behavioral psychology focuses on the impact of the environment on behavior.
True or False: Nature proponents believe that behavior is entirely determined by genetics.
False
What is the main critique of the nature vs nurture debate?
It oversimplifies the complex interactions between genetics and environment.
Fill in the blank: The __________ perspective emphasizes the role of both genetic predispositions and environmental influences.
interactionist
Which famous study involved the investigation of identical twins raised in different environments?
The Minnesota Twin Study
True or False: The nature vs nurture debate has implications for understanding mental health disorders.
True
What role do adoption studies play in the nature vs nurture debate?
Adoption studies help to disentangle the effects of genetics and environment.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following factors is considered a nurture influence? A) IQ B) Nutrition C) Eye color
B) Nutrition
What is the term for the genetic make-up of an individual?
Genotype
What is the term for the observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of genotype with the environment?
Phenotype
True or False: The nature vs nurture debate is only relevant to psychology.
False
What is one example of a nurture factor that can influence personality?
Childhood experiences
What is holism in psychology?
Holism is the approach that emphasizes the whole of a system rather than its individual parts.
What is reductionism in psychology?
Reductionism is the approach that breaks down complex phenomena into their simplest components.
True or False: Holism argues that understanding a system requires examining its parts individually.
False
Which perspective is more likely to consider environmental influences on behavior?
Holism
Fill in the blank: The reductionist approach is often associated with ________ explanations.
biological
What does the term ‘levels of explanation’ refer to in psychology?
It refers to the different ways of understanding behavior, from biological to social levels.
True or False: A holistic approach is often favored in therapy settings.
True
Which approach is more likely to use laboratory experiments?
Reductionism
What is an example of a holistic approach in psychology?
Gestalt psychology
What is an example of a reductionist approach in psychology?
Biological psychology
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a criticism of reductionism? A) It simplifies complex behaviors. B) It ignores environmental factors. C) It is scientifically rigorous. D) None of the above.
B) It ignores environmental factors.
What is the main advantage of a holistic approach?
It considers the context and relationships between parts.
Fill in the blank: Reductionism often leads to a ________ understanding of psychological phenomena.
simplistic
True or False: Holistic approaches can sometimes lack scientific rigor.
True
What is the main drawback of reductionism?
It may overlook the complexity and interrelatedness of human behavior.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following best describes a holistic treatment? A) Medication only. B) Therapy focused on the individual’s life context. C) Genetic analysis. D) None of the above.
B) Therapy focused on the individual’s life context.
What is an integrated approach in psychology?
An integrated approach combines elements of both holism and reductionism.
Which psychological model is often considered holistic?
Humanistic psychology
True or False: Reductionism is more likely to be used in qualitative research.
False
What does the term ‘biopsychosocial model’ imply?
It implies that biological, psychological, and social factors all play a role in human behavior.
What is a key concept of Gestalt psychology?
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
True or False: The debate between holism and reductionism is relevant to the study of mental disorders.
True
Which approach is more likely to use case studies?
Holism
What is a common criticism of holistic approaches?
They can be too vague and lack empirical support.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a holistic therapy? A) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. B) Psychoanalysis. C) Mindfulness-based therapy. D) None of the above.
C) Mindfulness-based therapy.
