Methodological issues and debates

Question 1

Nature/Nurture

Answer 1

Nature:
this is behaviour caused by innate characteristics and says that all behaviour is inherited.
strengths - it can show cause & effect
weaknesses - is reductionist

Nurture:
this is behaviour that is determined by the environment
strengths - it has a wide range of research methods used
weaknesses - harder to establish cause and effect

Question 2

Freewill/Determinism

Answer 2

Determinism:
the behaviour is controlled by forcers outside your control and says that behaviour is predictable
strengths - it emphasises on cause and effect and encourages interventions
weaknesses - does not blame people for their behaviour, says behaviour is too complex and variable

Freewill:
it says that they have control over their behaviour and are responsible for their own actions
strengths - it suggests that behaviour is free and it emphasis on the individual
weaknesses - it is unscientific and says behaviour can’t be predicted or objectively measured

Question 3

what is and its strengths and weaknesses of Reductionism/Holism

Answer 3

Reductionism:
says that behaviour is predictable as it is determined by one factor

strengths - it allows for a detailed look at components that affect behaviour and explains certain types of behaviours

weaknesses - it oversimplifies complex behaviours and it does not take into consideration other factors affecting behaviour

Holism:
it looks at the whole picture rather than just one thing

strengths - it looks at everything that may impact on behaviour and it considers more than one cause

weaknesses - it is non-scientific and it does not explain mental illness adequately

Question 4

Individual/Situational

Answer 4

Situational:
it says that the environment causes behaviour

strengths - it suggests behaviour is predictable so cause and effect can be found. Behaviour can be changed by improving ones environment

weaknesses - it is reductionist and it tends to rely on observations

Individual:
it says behaviour is caused by a feature of the person such as their personality and genes.

strengths - it is free will giving people the responsibility to change themselves. It is holism as well as it takes into account individual differences

weaknesses - it is reductionist

Question 5

Usefulness of Research

Answer 5

research is useful is it:
- develops theories, interventions, preventative action or treatments
- provokes further research in the field
- progresses understanding beyond previous findings
- is generalisable to a wide population
- is valid so that results are accurate

Question 6

Conducting Socially Sensitive Research

Answer 6

socially sensitive research can:
- subject to social norms
- controversial
- able to shape the law/policy
- risking
- stereotyping and prejudice