Issues and debates in psychology

Question 1

State what the nomothetic vs idiographic debate is

Answer 1

Whether the best approach to psychology is to look at the similarities between humans or the differences that make them unique.

Question 2

Define the idiographic approach

Answer 2

Seeks to investigate the unique and subjective experiences of the individual without comparing them to others

Question 3

Explain the methods of investigation of the idiographic approach

Answer 3

• Favours qualitative research would be based on first-hand accounts from a small number of people. For e.g.
• Case studies, unstructured interviews, self-reports, autobiographies and personal documents.​
• Uses small sizes to generate data which is rich & insightful.

Question 4

Explain how the humanistic approach is idiographic

Question 5

Explain how the psychodynamic approach is idiographic

Question 6

Define the nomothetic approach

Answer 6

Seeks to identify general laws of human behaviour by looking at similarities between people and groups of people.

Question 7

Explain the methods of investigation of the nomothetic approach

Answer 7

• Favours scientific methods such as lab experiments which involves high levels of control.
• Uses large sample sizes so as to generate quantitative data.
• Group averages are statistically analysed to create predictions about people in general.​

Question 8

Define determinism

Answer 8

The view that free will is an illusion, and that our behaviour is governed by internal or external forces over which we have no control.

Question 9

Define free will

Answer 9

The idea that we can play an active role and have choice in how we behave. The assumption is that individuals are free to choose their behaviour are self-determined.

Question 10

Define soft determinism and give examples

Answer 10

= based on hard determinism but it includes the mediating effects of cognitive factors such as thoughts, emotions, reflection which means can exercise some control over outcomes.

Question 11

Define socially sensitive research

Answer 11

Studies in which there are ethical implications either directly for the participants in the research or for the class of individuals represented by the research

Question 12

Define ethical implications

Answer 12

The impact that psychological research may have in terms of the rights of other people especially participants.

Question 13

State the 4 aspects in socially sensitive research which may have ethical implications