Issues & Debates Flashcards
What is universality?
any underlying characteristic of human beings that is capable of being applied to all, despite differences of experience and upbringing
(gender and culture bias threaten the universality of finding in psychology)
What is gender bias?
when considering human behaviour, bias is a tendency to treat one individual or group in a different way from others.
What is androcentrism?
male-centred, when ‘normal’ behaviour is judged according to a male standard.
(female behaviour is ‘abnormal’ in comparison)
What is alpha bias?
research that focuses on differences between men and women, and therefore tends to present a view that exaggerates these differences.
What is beta bias?
research that focuses on similarities between men and women, and therefore tends to present a view that ignores or minimises differences.
What is cultural bias?
a tendency to interpret all phenomena through the ‘lens’ of one’s own culture, ignoring the effects that cultural differences might have on behaviour.
What is ethnocentrism?
judging other cultures by the standards and values of one’s own culture.
(it’s the belief in the superiority of one’s own culture which may lead to prejudice and discrimination towards other cultures)
What is cultural relativism?
the idea that norms and values, as well as ethics and moral standards, can only be meaningful and understood within specific social and cultural contexts.
What is free will?
the notion that humans can make choices and their behaviour/thoughts aren’t determined biological or external forces.
What is determinism?
the view that an individual’s behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces rather than an individual’s will to do nothing.
What is hard determinism?
the view that all behaviour is caused by something (internal or external forces), so free will is an illusion.
What is soft determinism?
the view that behaviour may be predictable but there is also room for personal choice from a limited range of possibilities (restricted free will)
What is biological determinism?
the belief that behaviour is caused by biological (genetic, hormonal, evolutionary) influences that we can’t control.
What is environmental determinism?
the belief that behaviour is caused by features of the environment (e.g.: systems of reward and punishment) that we can’t control
What is psychic determinism?
the belief that behaviour is caused by unconscious psychodynamic conflicts we can’t control
