Issues and Debates Flashcards
What is Holism?
Holism is viewing people as indivisible beings consisting of a “self” that can only be studied in context.
What is Reductionism?
Reductionism is viewing people as a complex system that consists of many small parts we should study separately.
What are the types of reductionism?
- Biological
- Environmental
- Experimental
What are the types of holism?
- Gestalt
- Humanistic
- Cognitive
What does the Genotype argument in nature suggest?
Inherited genetic information that determines who we are.
What does the Evolution argument in nature suggest?
The evolution argument in nature suggests that adaptive pressures from natural selection are behind all our characteristics.
What are the two arguments for Nature?
Genotype and Evolution.
What are the arguments for Nurture?
Behaviourism, social learning theory and environment.
What does the behaviourism nurture argument say?
It says that we’re 100% shaped by our experiences.
Phobics must have original trauma.
What does the Social learning theory nurture argument say?
It says that our behaviour is learned & reinforced vicariously through observation of role models.
What does the Environment nurture argument say?
Our families/friends/school causes behavioural outcomes.
What are the 3 types of gender bias?
- Androcentrism
- Alpha Bias
- Beta Bias
Explain Beta gender bias?
IGNORING gender differences. Assuming male results apply to females.
Explain Alpha gender bias?
EXAGGERATING gender differences. Assuming that male results apply to females.
What is Ethnocentrism?
Ethnocentrism is over emphasis of one culture/imposing its norms.
What is Cultural relativism?
Idea that behavior can’t be judged unless its viewed in the context of the culture that it is performed in.
Alpha bias in culture
Exaggerating cultural differences.
Beta bias in culture.
Ignoring cultural differences.
Beta
Ignoring
Alpha
Exaggerating
What is free will in Psychology?
Free will is the ability to make a meaningful choice between possible behaviours. (we can choose point of action)
What is Determinism in Psychology?
Determinism is the idea that all behaviours depend on situational factors. (behaviour is fixed before point of action)
What are the 3 types of determinism?
The 3 types of determinism are:
- Hard determinism
- Soft determinism
- Reciprocal determinism
Explain Hard determinism in terms of causality?
Direct causality (A causes B)
Explain Soft determinism in terms of causality?
Indirect causality (A causes B, when C is present)
Explain Reciprocal determinism in terms of causality?
Interactive causality (A,B and C contribute to causing each other)
What are the 4 approaches types of determinism?
The 4 approaches types of determinism are:
- Biological determinism
- Environmental determinism
- Psychic determinism
- Scientific determinism
What does the Biological determinism say?
Biological determinism says that certain genes will make you turn out a certain way.
What does the Environmental determinism say?
Environmental determinism says that experiences shape who you are and what you do?
What does Psychic determinism say?
Psychic determinism says that internal unconscious factors decide our behaviour.
What does Scientific determinism say?
Scientific determinism says that all events must have a cause.
What are two arguments for free will?
- The humanistic approach believes in free will
- Moral responsibility is another important free-will argument.
What are the features of an Idiographic design?
- Focus on individual and recognises uniqueness
- Qualitative methods of investigation
- Private subjective and conscious experiences
What are the features of an Nomothetic design?
- Attempts to establish laws and generalisations
- Objective knowledge through scientific methods
- Quantitative methods of investigation
What are the strengths of a Idiographic design?
The strengths of an idiographic design are:
- Provides a more complete understanding of individual.
- Satisfies key aim of science
- Findings can serve as a source of ideas or hypotheses for later study.
- The focuses mean the individual feels valued and unique.
What are the strengths of a nomothetic design?
The strengths of a nomothetic design are:
- Regarded as scientific (precise method)
- Has helped psychology as a whole become scientific
- Combines biological and social aspects.
