Issues and Debates in Psychology

Question 1

Gender Bias

Answer 1

Is the theory based on research carried out on an unrepresentative sample?

Question 2

Reductionism

Answer 2

Does the theory/approach attempt to explain phenomena in terms of basic elements?

Question 3

Ethnocentrism

Answer 3

Is the theory based on research carried out in one particular culture?

Question 4

Nature/Nuture

Answer 4

Does the theory/ approach explain phenomena in terms of nature i.e. genetics neglecting other factors i.e social.

Question 5

Approach

Answer 5

Situate the theory in one approach

Question 6

Determinism

Answer 6

Does theory/approach acknowledge a sense of individual free will or does it argue that our behaviour is determined by a particular set of factors?

Question 7

Ethics

Answer 7

Does the theory/approach propose/research issues which could be socially controversial? I.e. Correlation between race and IQ.

Question 8

Scientific

Answer 8

Is the theory based on evidence which is objective/ valid/ reliable?

Question 9

Holism

Answer 9

Looks at individuals as a whole, or perhaps looks at all factors which together might explain a behaviour.