Issues And Debates

Question 1

What is gender bias?

Answer 1

When research presents a view that does not justifiably represent the experience and behaviour of men and women

Question 2

What is an alpha bias in gender?

Answer 2

Over exaggerate the differences between genders and as a result will often devalue one gender

Question 3

What is a beta bias in gender

Answer 3

Ignore the differences between genders and assume that what is true for one gender must also be true for the other gender

Question 4

What is universality in gender

Answer 4

The ideal situation where a theory manages to recognise the difference between genders, but also not to value one gender over the other and instead treat them as equal

Question 5

What is androcentrism?

Answer 5

When research is conducted from a male point of view without taking a female perspective into account

Question 6

What is alpha bias in cultural bias?

Answer 6

Research exaggerates cultural differences and values one culture above one or more others

Question 7

What is beta bias in culture?

Answer 7

Ignores the possibility of cultural differences and assumes that one culture can be generalised to all cultures

Question 8

What is the emic approach in culture ?

Answer 8

Aims to explain behaviour that is culturally specific, rather than an understanding of human behaviour globally.

Question 9

What is the Eric approach in culture?

Answer 9

Aims to explain universal human behaviours. This is often done by comparing and contrasting different cultures to which aspects appear across all cultures

Question 10

What is culture bias?

Answer 10

Assuming that members of other cultural groups are inferior, applying inappropriate ideas to them or judging them by the standards of one own culture

Question 11

What is ethnocentrism?

Answer 11

When western views are held as the norm for the rest of the world

Question 12

What is cultural relativism?

Answer 12

This is when the norms of a culture aren’t accounted for

Question 13

What is determinism?

Answer 13

Behaviour is controlled by external or internal factors acting upon the individual

Question 14

What is free will?

Answer 14

Each individual has the power to make choices about their behaviour

Question 15

What is hard determinism?

Answer 15

The view that all behaviour can be predicted and there is no free will

Question 16

What is soft determinism?

Answer 16

A version of determinism that allows for some element of free will

Question 17

What is biological determinism?

Answer 17

Our behaviours are determined by our genes

Question 18

What is environmental determinism ?

Answer 18

All behaviour is caused by experience/ environment

Question 19

What is psychic determinism ?

Answer 19

Behaviours determined by innate drives and early experiences

Question 20

What is scientific determinism?

Answer 20

An independent variable has a causal effect on a dependent variable

Question 21

Examples of influence of nature?

Answer 21

Genetic explanations

Evolutionary explanations

Question 22

Examples of nurture ??

Answer 22

Behaviourism
Social learning theory
Double bind theory

Question 23

What is reductionism?

Answer 23

Breaks down a behaviour and focuses only on one aspect of it

Question 24

What is Hollism?

Answer 24

Approach tries to explain behaviour by focusing on systems rather than each part in turn

Question 25

What is biological reductionism?

Answer 25

All behaviour explained through biology

Question 26

What is environmental reductionism?

Answer 26

All behaviour explained through environment

Question 27

What is experimental reductionism?

Answer 27

All changes in DV is due to the IV

Question 28

What is the nomothetic approach?

Answer 28

Uses large samples and makes general laws and principles to apply to all people

Question 29

What is the idiographic approach?

Answer 29

Focuses on individuals to find out more in depth. Then tries to apply to all people

Question 30

Explain ethical issues with the research process

Answer 30

Research questions - simply asking a research question may be damaging to members of society
Conduct of research - most important ethical consideration here is confidentiality
Institutional context - usually funded by a probate company who may want to manipulate the outcome
Interpretation of findings - the way in which others report or apply those findings may be unethical

Question 31

Evaluate the idea of determinism?

Answer 31

Socially sensitive
Important for psychology - without it if said free will then hard to make explanations. Systematic desensitisation would not exist without It

Question 32

Evaluate reductionist approach

Answer 32

It gives a causal explanation which is the ultimate aim of scientific enquiry

Question 33

Evaluate nature debate

Answer 33

Nature can be regulated by drugs and other biological interventions
However, it is deterministic

Question 34

Evaluate nurture debate

Answer 34

Therapists focused on changing environment can be introduced quickly

Question 35

Evaluate nomothetic approach

Answer 35

Easier or develop positive practical application- therapy

Question 36

What is bad about idiographic approach?

Answer 36

Purely idiographic would not lead to scientific advances - need to consider both so generalisable conclusions can be made