Issues And Debates Key Words

Question 1

Universality

Answer 1

An underlying characteristic of human beings that is capable of being applied to all despite differences of experience and upbringing

Question 2

Bias

Answer 2

The tendency to treat one individual or group in a different way to others

Question 3

Gender bias

Answer 3

Psychological research or theory that offers a view that does not justifiably represent the experience and behaviour of men or women. It may be the representation of one gender only

Question 4

Alpha bias

Answer 4

The attempt to exaggerate or overestimate the differences between the genders

Question 5

Beta bias

Answer 5

The attempt to downplay or underestimate the differences between the genders

Question 6

Androcentrism

Answer 6

When men’s behaviour is the standard against which women’s behaviour is compared. Female behaviour is often judged to be “abnormal”, “deficient” or “inferior” by comparison

Question 7

Culture bias

Answer 7

Overlooking cultural differences by looking at human behaviour from the perspective of one’s own culture

Question 8

Ethnocentrism

Answer 8

A type of cultural bias that involves judging other cultures by the standards and values of one’s own culture

Question 9

Cultural relativism

Answer 9

The idea that human behaviour can only be meaningful and understood within specific social and cultural contexts

Question 10

Imposed Etic

Answer 10

A test, measure or theory devised in one culture that is used to explain behaviour in another culture

Question 11

Collectivist cultures

Answer 11

Refers to cultures such as India and china that are said to be more conformist and group orientated

Question 12

Collectivist cultures

Answer 12

Refers to cultures such as India and china that are said to be more conformist and group orientated

Question 13

Individualistic cultures

Answer 13

Refers to western countries like the us and uk that are thought to be more independent

Question 14

Etic approach

Answer 14

Studying behaviour across many cultures to find universal human behaviours

Question 15

Culture bound syndromes

Answer 15

Groups of syndromes classified as treatable illnesses in certain cultures that are not recognised as such in the west

Question 16

Emic approach

Answer 16

Studying cultures in isolation by identifying behaviours that are specific to that culture

Question 17

Ethical guidelines

Answer 17

A set of principles set out by the BPS to help psychologists behave with honesty and integrity

Question 18

Ethical issues

Answer 18

These arise when a conflict exists between the rights of the participants in research studies and the goals of the researchers to produce authentic valid and worthwhile data

Question 19

Ethical implications

Answer 19

The impact that psychological research may have in terms of the rights of other people, especially participants. This includes at a societal level, influencing public policy and or the way in which certain groups of people are viewed

Question 20

Socially sensitive studies

Answer 20

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