Issues and debates in Psychology Flashcards
What is gender bias in psychological research?
Gender bias occurs when a psychologist’s own background or values influence their research, leading to distorted findings about gender differences.
What are the two types of gender bias?
Alpha bias: Exaggerates differences between men and women.
Beta bias: Minimizes or ignores differences between men and women.
What is androcentrism?
Androcentrism is a male-centred perspective where psychological research is based on male experiences, leading to biased explanations of behaviour.
What is culture bias in psychology?
Culture bias occurs when research developed in one culture is inappropriately applied to another, ignoring cultural differences.
What is ethnocentrism?
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own culture is superior, often leading to biased interpretations of behaviour in cross-cultural studies.
What is cultural relativism, and how does it relate to imposed etic?
Cultural relativism is the idea that behaviour should be understood within its cultural context. Imposed etic occurs when researchers apply their cultural perspective to other cultures without considering differences.
What is the free will vs determinism debate?
The debate concerns whether human behaviour is freely chosen (free will) or controlled by external/internal factors (determinism).
What is soft determinism vs hard determinism?
Soft determinism: Behaviour is constrained by external factors but individuals still have some choice.
Hard determinism: Behaviour is entirely determined by external/internal factors, with no free will.
What are the three types of determinism?
Biological determinism: Behaviour is determined by genetics, hormones, etc.
Environmental determinism: Behaviour is shaped by learning, rewards, and punishments.
Psychic determinism: Behaviour is driven by unconscious forces and childhood experiences.
What is the nature vs nurture debate?
Nature: Behaviour is influenced by genetics and innate characteristics.
Nurture: Behaviour is shaped by environmental influences and experiences.
What is the interactionist approach in nature vs nurture?
The interactionist approach suggests nature and nurture work together, with the environment influencing genetic expression (e.g., epigenetics).
What is the diathesis-stress model?
The model suggests individuals may have a genetic predisposition for a disorder but need an environmental stressor to trigger it.
What is holism vs reductionism in psychology?
Holism: Behaviour should be studied as a whole system rather than in parts.
Reductionism: Behaviour should be broken down into simpler components for study.
What are the two types of reductionism?
Biological reductionism: Behaviour is explained by biological structures (e.g., brain, hormones).
Environmental reductionism: Behaviour is explained through stimulus-response learning.
What is meant by levels of explanation in psychology?
Different ways of explaining behaviour, from basic biological levels (e.g., neurotransmitters) to more complex psychological and social factors.
What is the idiographic vs nomothetic approach?
Idiographic: Focuses on individual cases and personal experiences (e.g., case studies).
Nomothetic: Focuses on general laws that apply to groups of people (e.g., experiments).
What type of data is associated with idiographic and nomothetic approaches?
Idiographic: Qualitative data (e.g., case studies, interviews).
Nomothetic: Quantitative data (e.g., experiments, statistics).
What are the ethical implications of psychological research?
Psychological studies can impact participants and society, influencing policies, stereotypes, and treatment of different groups.
What is socially sensitive research?
Research that has ethical and social implications, potentially reinforcing prejudices or leading to policy changes.
Give an example of socially sensitive research.
Eyewitness Testimony (EWT): Research on the unreliability of memory has influenced legal proceedings and reduced wrongful convictions.
Maternal Deprivation (Bowlby): Raised awareness of childcare quality but also pressured mothers to stay at home.
