Psychology glossary - Issues and debates (Debates)

Question 1

Determinism

Answer 1

Suggests that we lack control of our behavior and that it is pre-determined by factors such as our genes and past experiences

Question 2

Limited usefulness

Answer 2

Research that may lack credibility, generalisibility or be difficult to apply outside of the research setting

Question 3

Nurture

Answer 3

Sees behavior as learned or acquired through experiences in the environment

Question 4

Reductionism

Answer 4

Attempts to break down behavior into its constituent parts and using single factors such as individual genes or particular hormones to account for a given behavior

Question 5

Individual

Answer 5

Individual explanations look to the person as the cause of behavior, specifically their personalities or dispositions

Question 6

Freewill

Answer 6

Some argue that human beings are entirely free to act as they choose and bear responsibility for the outcome of their behavior

Question 7

Nature

Answer 7

Sees biological factors as the explanation for thinking and behavior, such as genetics, nervous system, and brain chemistry

Question 8

Interactionist

Answer 8

Accepts that both nature and nurture factors are interconnected and human behavior is a product of both

Question 9

Holism

Answer 9

A holistic approach sees human behavior as too complex to be reduced to single explanations. Human beings are seen as more than the sum of their individual parts and there are many factors contributing to behavior

Question 10

Situational

Answer 10

Situational explanations draw on situations around the individuals; for example, their group members or the environment context

Question 11

Useful

Answer 11

Research that enhances our knowledge and understanding, and can be applied to real world situations