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
Interactionist approach
-concept that its not nature or nurture but an interaction of the two eg. Maguire taxi study, schemas
-diathesis stress= suggests mental illnesses/abnormality occur due to interaction between biological (diathesis) and environmental (stress) influences eg. epigenetics in OCD
3 ways nature/nurture can interact:
1. Passive relationship- where parental genes affect the way the parents treat their children eg. parent who plays instrument encourages children to play instrument
2. Active relationships- Child’s genetic make-up actively affects the environment eg. quiet child prefers to be alone so takes part in quiet activities with quieter friends
3. Reactive relationships- child’s genetic make-up such as appearance or temperaments leads to responses eg. parent notices childs talent in music so encourages musical development for them
Holism and reductionism debate
-refers to level we try to explain behaviour
Holism= focuses on the system as a whole not constituent parts, can’t predict how system works by just looking at individual components eg. Rosenhan + Seligman- features of failure to function adequately as looked at all factors
Reductionism= breaks down complex phenomena into simple components, no such thing as individualism
Reductionistic approach
(levels of explanation)
-suggests explanations begin at highest level and progressively look at component parts
Highest level- social and cultural explanations of behaviour eg. repetitive hand washing in OCD that most would regard odd
Middle level- psychological explanations of behaviour eg. obsessive thoughts
Lowest level- biological explanations of behaviour eg. underproduction of serotonin, hypersensitive basal ganglia
Types of reductionism
-Biological- reduces behaviour down to actions of neurotransmitters, genetics, hormones eg. SERT, COMT gene
-Environmental- suggests all behaviour can be reduced to simple relationship between behaviour and events in the environment eg. phobias learnt, conditioning (pavlov, skinner)
Idiographic and nomothetic approach
Idiographic focuses on individual case, nomothetic tries to create general/ universal laws of behaviour
Idiographic
-focuses on unique individuals
-qualitative data
-gains insight into individuals unique insights
-methods- case study, unstructured interview, thematic analysis
eg. Clive Wearing, Henry Molaison
Nomothetic
-study of large number of people
-seeks to make generalisations or develop theories/laws
-scientific as gathers quantitative data
-uses experiments with large sample size
eg. Bowlby, strange situation, Loftus and Palmer
Ethical implications
-impact of findings on society
eg. way its communicated, may influence perception of particular group, how findings are used
Socially sensitive research
-research with potential social implications either directly for pps or for individuals in the target population
-some research more sensitive than others eg. genetic factors in aggression
-attract attention from media, amplifying socially sensitive nature of research and conclusions
eg. child rearing practices, causes abnormality, EWT, causes of aggression
3 issues create concern about sensitivity
Lee
-issues considered private, stressful, sacred
-issues that may cause stigmatisation/ fear
-issues related to social conflict
Ethical issues in socially sensitive research
Sieber and Stanley- suggested issues that can arise during research process
Interpretation and application of findings- findings used for purposes not intended eg. IQ tests used to demonstrate inferiority of certain groups
1. Validity- poor methodology affects validity of findings and public/media not aware, so invalid findings may disadvantage groups
2. Public policy- consider what the research could be used for and what would happen if used for wrong purpose
The research question- potentially damaging to groups eg. Are there racial differences in IQ?
1.Implications - wider effects need to be considered, some studies given scientific credibility to discrimination, consider risk:benefit ratio
2.Scientific freedom- researchers have duty to engage in research but also can’t harm pps or groups in society
Ways to overcome ethical issues
-sensitive brief and debrief
-care in relation to publication
-care in disclosure of results and anonymity of pps
-pps treated in equitable manner and vital resources not withheld from one group
-consider who is funding research and their motives
