Issues and debates Flashcards
(36 cards)
androcentrism
when normal behaviour is judged on a male standard - female behaviour may be looked at as deficient.
Describe what is meant by a idiographic approach to research
- research that mostly focuses on the individual, the findings of which are not generalized to a population to formulate general laws of behavior.
Describe what is meant by the nomothetic approach to research
aims to study laws through generalisation, which can then be applied to individual scenarios.
Name ways to study idiographically
- case studies
- qualitative data
Give an example of an approach that makes use of idiographic research.
- Psychodynamic approach, eg the case study of Little Hans and the Oedipus complex - this was a generalisation made FROM a case study, and could be used to explain why his phobia developed.
Give an example of a method to investigate nomothetically
- quantitative research
- eg structured questionnaires
State and explain one key difference between the idiographic and nomothetic approaches.
- idiographic is much more subjective whereas nomothetic is much more objective.
- This might be because the method of assessment for a nomothetic approach is very structured and ensures true replication (good reliability) among multiple trials/samples.
- However, for an idiographic approach, there is subjectivity due to its methods of assesment -eg open interviews are viewed as important as it takes unique context of the individual into account.
Give an example of an approach that makes use of the nomothetic approach
- biological approach - eg split brain research is clearly empirical, and provided the basis of understanding for hemispheric lateralisation
Give the pros and cons of a nomothetic approach
+: scientific and quantitative data, so easier to identify trends and make unbiased conclusions.
-: may lack detail and individuality - may make conclusions to quickly or lack patient focused approaches.
Give pros and cons for the idiographic approach
+: can prompt ideas for further research
+: can collect qualitative data, so very rich and detailed which prevents jumping to conclusions.
-: not standardised and may be very subjective, so cannot be generalisable to entire population (eg with case studies)
Define alpha bias
Theories that exaggerate difference between men and women
Define beta bias
Research that minimises or ignores the difference between men and women
Define Gender Bias
- Differential treatment or representation of males and females based on stereotypes and not real evidenced differences
Give an example of study/research/theory that implemented beta bias
- research on fight or flight responses in male mic - research was generalised to females, but did not account for speed or extent of the fight or flight response.
Give an example of study/research/theory that implemented alpha bias
- Freud’s argument that the differences in complexes is due to females being inferior to males and developing weaker superegos than males.
- Or Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theories - where a lot of mother blaming is done, and the role of the father is ignored.
Give pros and cons of gender bias in research
-: sometimes go unnoticed when significant contributions of the research have been made
+: beta bias may have actually helped women gain access to occupational and educational opportunity - eg equal parenting and role of the father studies allowed them to go back to work
-: but this ignored biological demands of pregnancy and recovery from birth.
-: gender biases from research - eg female pps nay be viewed as irritable and irrational when unable to complete complex tasks - may have contributed to real life stereotypes.
+: conversations triggered by gender bias research have been positive.
Give 4 methods to reduce gender bias in research
- involve both female and male researchers to avoid androcentrism
- take a feminist view point
- take reflective approaches, eg calling yourself out when showing gender bias
- Be sensitive to both male and female standards when carrying out research.
Cultural relativism
- idea that a behaviour can only be meaningfully understood in the context of the norms and values of the society or culture in which it occurs.
Give topics in which culture bias is seen.
Ainsworth’s strange situation holding attachment to an ‘American standard’
Sz research - eg hearing voices considered Sz in western countries, but considered ancestors speaking to you in other cultures.
Give pros and cons of Culture bias
- -: may amplify culture stereotypes - eg amplify stigma for sz by eastern countries, considered a ‘western’ disease
+: increased understanding about the subject now, eg helping the us of more indegenous psychologists,
Define social sensitivity
studies where there are potential social consequences for the pps, group of people represented or related to the research.
Define ethical issues
- an issue that may bring systems of morality and principles into conflict.
Name Stanley and Seiber’s 4 aspects as to what could make research socially sensitive.
- The questions
- The methodology
- the institutional context (eg who’s funding research)
- Interpretation and application of findings
Name some examples of studies with ethical issues
- Milgram - distress, deception, protection from harm can be explored here
- Zimbardo: distress after the experiment, psychological harm.
- Bowlby: (on wider population) - suggests women’s full responsibility over children etc.
