Issues and debates descriptions Flashcards
Gender bias definition
occurs when research treats genders differently or the same, when this may not be correct
Universality
theories apply to all people and thus both genders/ cultures
Bias
prejudice for or against a person or group, especially in a way that would be considered unfair
Androcentrism
when behaviour is judged according to male standards
eg. asch, sherif, zimbardo all used male pps
Alpha bias
Beta bias
-when we assume there are differences between genders when there may not be. This is a problem as researchers may exaggerate the difference in gender eg. fight or flight as women said to tend and befriend
-when we assume there are no differences between genders. This is a problem as researchers may minimise the difference between genders eg. statistical infrequency treats everyone as equals
Cultural bias
when researchers have a distorted view of other cultures due to their own cultural understandings and this effects research. This means cultural differences are ignored
Ethnocentrism
use of own cultural group as basis for judgements about other cultural groups. See your own culture as superior/ normal and other cultures as strange
Cultural relativism
Suggestion that all cultures are worthy of respect and researchers should try and understand the way the culture perceives the world before doing research.
Emic approach- identify and measure behaviour in a way that is specific to that culture
Etic approach- behaviours are viewed as universal, cultures are studied from the outside
5 ways to minimise cultural bias
-not extrapolating findings to cultures not represented in the sample
-use researchers who are native or immersed in the culture being investigated
-carry out cross-cultural research rather than just sole culture
-be sensitive to cultural norms when designing research
-take a reflexive approach eg. reflect on how own bias may effect results
Free will
-suggests we are free to choose our thoughts and behaviours
-acknowledges we are influenced by other factors but we can reject the influences and create our own pathway
-eg. humanistic approach
Determinism
-suggests we have no free will over our thoughts and actions and they are pre-determine by internal and external factors
-means our behaviour is predictable allowing psychologists to develop theories
-eg. psychodynamic approach
Hard v soft determinism
Hard- extreme determinism, people not responsible for their actions. Behaviour has a specific external or internal cause
eg. Skinner, Pavlov, Freud
Soft- some room for free will, humans have some conscious control over actions, we have a number of influencing factors but have freedom to detract from these
eg. Asch, Milgram, Beck (schemas)
3 types of determinism
-Biological- behaviour determined by biological factors such as genetics, hormones and neurotransmitters eg. SERT gene less active so less serotonin causing OCD or abnormal amygdala causing aggression
-Environmental- behaviour determined by past experiences and external influences, we are socialised into our behaviour by society eg. Skinner, Pavlov, SLT
-Psychic- behaviour determined by unconscious forces, childhood experiences influence our unconscious mind eg. psychodynamic approach (Freud)
Scientific emphasis on causal explanations
-every event has specific cause that can be explained using general laws/ theories.
-to test for cause, use a lab experiment with high control to be able to state cause and effect
eg. Asch, Brown Peterson and Peterson, Milgram etc
Nature nurture debate
-extent to which our behaviour is influenced by biological and environmental factors
nature- influence of genes on our behaviour and characteristics. Supporters of nature view are called nativists eg. SERT gene in OCD, testosterone in aggression, basal ganglia
nurture- influence of interactions with both social and physical environment eg. learning theory of attachment
-interactionist approach
