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Flashcards in issues and debates Deck (34)
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1
Q

reductionism-holism

A

the best way to explain behaviour is breaking down complex phenomena into simple components // human behaviour is too complicated to be broken down- best way to understand behaviour is to look at the system as a whole.

2
Q

benefits of reductionism

A

very scientific, reductionism underlies most psychological research as behaviour can be tested by reducing it to a set of variables.

3
Q

limitations of reductionism

A

can simplify complex behaviour, but it is limited in explanation.

4
Q

benefits of holism

A

takes into account the complex interactions of phenomena- the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

5
Q

limitations of holism

A

much less scientific, can be difficult to navigate and predict.

6
Q

determinism-free will

A

no behaviour occurs by chance, all caused by biology, upbringing and environment- over which we have no control // everything happens by chance, no behaviour is predetermined. can become anything we choose.

7
Q

benefits of determinism

A

more scientific as it isolates variable to examine them under scientific conditions. more credible to society. emphasis on cause and effect allows positive changes to be made.

8
Q

limitations of determinism

A

often reductionist as views cannot relate to everyday experience. cannot always predict behaviour, which it implies. does not account for individual experiences.

9
Q

benefits of free-will

A

emphasis on the individual. fits in with societal view of individual responsibility.

10
Q

limitations of free-will

A

concept of free will may be culturally relative. unscientific, no clear term of what it is and it cannot be tested.

11
Q

nature-nurture

A

all behaviour is predetermined by hereditary, innate factors. present at birth or emerges as people mature // all behaviour is result of interactions with the environment, no predispositions to behaviour at birth.

12
Q

benefits of nature-nurture

A

distinction helps us identify which behaviours are inherited or learned, and can be helpful to discover some behaviours are inherited, rather than due to poor upbringing.

13
Q

limitations of nature-nurture

A

reductionist and simplistic to divide explanations as they often combine. discovering behaviours are inherited may lead us to ignore the effects of the environment.

14
Q

individual-situational

A

something about the person is used to explain behaviour // something about the situation is used to explain behaviour.

15
Q

benefits of individualism

A

holistic- it gives a complete understanding of an individual. helps to balance the neglect of uniqueness in psychology. good for counselling.

16
Q

limitations of individualism

A

can replicate and predict, but not generalise to other people- limits usefulness. the idea that people are so unique they cannot be compared is contradicted by psychological research.

17
Q

benefits of situationalism

A

links to science and determinism- credible. the ability to generalise and compare is useful in predicting and controlling behaviour.

18
Q

limitations of situationalism

A

leaves us with a superficial understanding of one person. people might get different questions wrong, but still get the same score.

19
Q

psychology as a science

A

needs to be objective, falsifiable, and replicable.

20
Q

ethnocentrism

A

perceiving your own culture as being superior to another

21
Q

ethics

A

respect- informed consent, right to withdraw, confidentiality.
competence- work within ability, consult with colleagues.
responsibility- protection of participants, debrief.
integrity- deception.

22
Q

social sensitivity

A

cost-benefit analysis, potential harm, avoiding stigma, political consequences.

23
Q

usefulness

A

if research adds to our knowledge and can be applied to real world situations.

24
Q

what is deductive reasoning?

A

something is theorised and a hypothesis is created to test it

25
Q

what is inductive reasoning?

A

taking specific information and making a broader generalisation

26
Q

what is objectivity?

A

not imposing own ideas when interpreting research

27
Q

what is falsifiability?

A

whether a hypothesis can be proved true or false by evidence

28
Q

what is a paradigm?

A

a common set of general laws

‘psychology does not have a unified paradigm, but the approaches do’

29
Q

what is empirical?

A

information gathered through direct experience

30
Q

what is causality?

A

whether a cause and effect relationship can be established

31
Q

arguments for psychology as a science

A

it is a research based subject with investigation at its core; uses the scientific method by manipulating IVs and using controls; creates hypotheses to be tested empirically like other sciences

32
Q

arguments against psychology as a science

A

its subject matter is humans, which cannot be investigated in the same way

33
Q

what are individualist cultures?

A

cultures that emphasise self-interest and of one’s immediate family, personal autonomy, initiative and achievement

34
Q

what are collectivist cultures?

A

cultures that emphasise loyalty to the group, interdependence, and the belief that group decisions are more important than individual ones