Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Psychology > Issues and debates > Flashcards

Issues and debates Flashcards

(63 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is free will?

A

The idea that we can play an active role and have total choice in how to behave, belief that humans are self-determined (not determined by other factors)

Claims that a person is responsible for their own actions and that it is impossible to predict human behaviour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is determinism?

A

Idea that behaviour has a cause that can be found, measured and predicted

Idea that our behaviour is governed by internal or external forces over which we have no control which consequently means that our behaviour is viewed as predictable

‘the casual laws of determinism form the basis of science’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the 5 types of determinism?

A

Hard
Soft
Biological
Environmental
Psychic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is hard determinism?

A

Suggests that all human behaviour has a cause and that it should be possible to identify and describe these causes

Compatible with aims of science

People’s behaviour always has a cause and people have no choice about how to act

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is soft determinism?

A

Acknowledges that all human action has a cause but suggests that there is some room for manoeuvre with the fact that people have conscious mental control over the way they behave

Science within determinism does not detract from the freedom that we have rational choices in everyday situations

We can modify, adapt and change if we wish to

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is biological determinism?

A

Idea that most human characteristics, physical and mental, are determined at conception by hereditary factors passed from parent to offspring e.g. genetics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is environmental determinism?

A

Idea that the environment (physical or emotional) causes/influences certain behaviours in humans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is psychic determinism?

A

Idea that behaviour is a result of childhood experiences

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does relative importance mean?

A

That two things may be as important as each other in explaining different behaviours in different cases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the nature-nurture debate?

A

The relative importance of hereditary and environment in determining behaviour- the interactionist approach

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the nature side of this argument about?

A

Behaviour can be inherited through genes from parents

Behaviours are passed on through the species due to being evolutionary adaptive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is nativism?

A

Theory that concepts, mental capacities and mental structures are innate rather than acquired by learning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the nurture side of this argument about?

A

Any environment the developing human experiences can shape behaviour, includes:

Pre-natal and post-natal environments
Social conditions child grows up in
Cultural and historical context
People they socialise with
Shared and non-shared environments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the shared environment?

A

Those aspects of an individual’s environment that are shared with other children in the family (general parenting style, socio-economic status, neighbourhood etc.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the non-shared environment?

A

Experiences that can be different for different children within the same family (birth order, specific parenting strategies, teachers, peers, friends etc.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is empiricism?

A

Theory that all knowledge is based on experience derived from the senses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is interactionism?

A

Belief that both nature and nurture are essential to any behaviour and that they interact in a complex manner

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the heritability coefficient?

A

Numerical figure from 0 to 1.0 used to access heredity and indicate the extent to which a characteristic has a genetic basis –> 1 means it is entirely genetically determined)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is diathesis stress?

A

Refers to a genetic predisposition and an environmental trigger being required to cause a behaviour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are twin studies used for?

A

Research conducted on monozygotic and dizygotic twins (identical and non-identical)

Explore relative contribution of genetics vs environment due to number of shared genes

Mz twins share 100% of genes

Dz twins share 50% of genes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are adoption studies used for?

A

Research conducted into Mz twins who have been adopted vs Mz who have stayed with biological parents

Comparisons made between concordance rate of Mz twins who have disorder and stayed with biological parents to those who have disorder and were adopted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is holism?

A

Idea that any attempt to break up behaviour and experience is inappropriate as can only be understood by analysing whole person or behaviour as a whole

Focus on whole system or person, behaviour caused by cumulative effects of many factors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is reductionism?

A

Belief that human behaviour can be explained by breaking it down into simpler, basic component parts

Reductionists believe best way to understand behaviour is breaking up into individual parts and using simplest explanations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What are some misconceptions about reductionism?

A

It is not ignoring all other approaches

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What are three levels of explanation?
Highest, middle and lower
26
What is the lowest level of explanation?
Biological/chemical explanations How neurotransmitters, genetics etc affect our behaviour Reductionist
27
What is middle level of explanation?
Psychological explanations of behaviour Holism
28
What is highest level of explanation?
Multivariable cultural and social explanations of how social groups affect our behaviour Holism
29
What is biological reductionism?
Reducing behaviours down to the action of neutrons, neurotransmitters, genes, hormones etc
30
What is environmental reductionism?
Suggest that all behaviour can be explained in terms of simple stimulus-response links, simple relationship between associations or consequences
31
What is an idiographic approach?
Attempts to describe the nature of unique individual People studied as unique entities with own subjective experiences and values No attempt to compare or generalise to larger group Produces qualitative data Central aim is to describe richness of human experience and gain insight into person's unique way of viewing world
32
What is nomothetic approach?
Main aim to produce general laws of human behaviour to provide 'benchmark' against which people can be compared so behaviour can be predicted/controlled Study large numbers of people in order to establish ways in which people are similar Features approaches that are reductionist, determinist and use scientific methods Focus on ability to generalise
33
What is bias?
Tendency to judge people in terms of one's own assumptions
34
What is universality?
When a theory can be applied to all people, irrespective of gender and culture
35
What are areas in psychology where bias can occur?
Gender and culture
36
What is gender bias?
The differential treatment and/or representation of males and females, based on stereotypes and not on real differences Bias often against women
36
What is gender bias?
The differential treatment and/or representation of males and females, based on stereotypes and not on real differences Bias is often against women
37
What does this gender bias lead to?
Differential treatment of males and females, bases on stereotypes and not real differences
38
What is alpha bias?
Refers to theories that exaggerate, emphasise or overestimate the differences between males and females Some psychologists have identified gender differences in order to argue that some are superior to others --> these differences often presented as fixed and inevitable More likely to evaluate females negatively in relation to male counterparts
39
What is beta bias?
Refers to theories which tend to ignore, minimise or underestimate the differences between cultures or genders Any research conducted with one gender group and then presented as a theory of all human behaviour is beta biased Theories often assume that findings from males can apply equally to females (when in fact they may not)
40
What is androcentrism?
Theories which are centered on or focussed on males Suggests males are the power in society Women specific behaviour seen as abnormal or inferior
41
What is gynocentrism?
Focus on role and importance of women Samples female only Rarely happens due to Psychology being male dominated
42
What is culture?
Groups of people that may differ in life experiences and behaviours
43
What are ways in which people in a culture may differ?
Norms Behaviours Practices Language Values Beliefs Ethnic background Location Etc...
44
What do critics argue about culture in psychology?
That mainstream psychology has generally ignored culture as an important influence on human behaviour Cultural differences in behaviour will inevitably be seen as 'abnormal' or 'inferior'
45
What is culture bias?
Tendency to judge people in terms of one's own cultural assumptions
46
What can ethnocentrism lead to?
Overestimating the importance and worth of people who are in your group Underestimating the importance and worth of people who are not in your group
46
What is ethnocentrism?
Seeing the world only from one's own cultural perspective and believing that this one perspective is both normal and correct
47
How do psychologists participate in ethnocentrism?
Ignoring the views, values or culture lot another society when conducting research/interpreting findings Psychologists will judge other people in relation to their own particular ethnic group or culture
48
How does ethnocentrism usually occur?
By generalising the findings of studies from one culture to all cultures without thinking of possible differences
49
What is cultural relativism?
Insists that behaviour can be properly understood only if the cultural context is taken into consideration
50
What are culturally relative behaviours?
Behaviours which are dependent on culture
51
What are individualistic cultures?
Placing emphasis on the self and ones own motivations and goals Reliance on others viewed as a weakness and undesirable Personal needs always considered first
52
What are collectivist cultures?
Valuing the groups needs over the individuals Interdependence is favoured over autonomy Desires of individual are less important than the ties between collective units (family or community)
53
What is imposed etic?
When psychologists use methods developed for western participants in other parts of the world without modifying them --> may cause findings to lack validity
54
What is emic approach?
Using methods such as naturalistic observations and open interviews in order to minimise culture bias However we cannot generalise so unlikely we will be able to construct universal explanations of behaviour
55
What are ethical implications?
The impact in which psychological research could have on the rights of individuals
56
What are some things that research could affect?
Public policy Changes in treatment options Way in which certain groups are viewed or treated
57
What do researchers have to consider with research?
Short term cost vs long term gain Important that researchers are reflective and remember their researcher responsibility
58
What is socially sensitive research?
Refers to studies that tackle socially sensitive 'taboo' topics where there are potential social consequences or implications
59
What are some examples of socially sensitive topics?
Race Sexuality Topics which are private, stressful or sacred
60
What can potential social implications be?
Exposure of incriminating or stigmatising information Scientific credibility to prejudice or discrimination
61
Who are people affected by socially sensitive research?
Participants in research Researcher (s) Groups that could be potentially impacted by results

Psychology (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions