issues and debates Flashcards
1
Q
ethics
A
- studying aggression and how findings are used - in the research itself such as issues pf confidentiality. eg Raine
- issues with use of animals
1
Q
practical issues in the design and implementation of research
A
- issues around cost and equipment when scanning and measuring the complexity of the brain.
- cause and effect when trying to infer conclusions from studying such a complex organ
- difficulty in finding samples of MZ and DZ twins and establishing whether samples are valid.
2
Q
reductionism
A
- focusing on aggression when studying the brain means reducing behaviour to individual structures like the prefrontal cortex. this view neglects the whole person/other environmental factors for behaviour and so is less valid.
3
Q
comparisons between ways of explaining behaviour
A
- comparing Freuds ideas and bio explanations of aggression
- role of evolution against hormones when explaining aggression
4
Q
psych as a science
A
- synaptic transmission, brain scanning techniques - all objective and scientific help increase credibility. however, some methods such as correlations and psychodynamic explanations of aggression reduce the scientific status.
5
Q
culture and gender issues
A
- hormonal differences possibly influencing behaviour.
6
Q
nature/nurture
A
- the focus on brain structure/ CNS/ hormones/ neurotransmitters and brain localisation in aggression are all on the nature side.
7
Q
psychological understanding over time
A
- development of scanning techniques up to fMRI and development of older methods such as CAT.
8
Q
social control
A
- using knowledge of brain function to control individuals such as Raine and aggression, could lead to unfair labelling and treatment and even unnecessary therapy.
- prefrontal lobotomies have been used to control antisocial behaviour
- chemical castration to block male hormones used with sex offenders.
9
Q
psychological knowledge within society
A
- understanding explanations of aggression to help with treatments and possible predictions of risk
- understanding, explaining and treating of drug addiction
10
Q
socially sensitive research
A
- linking biology to behaviour, such as aggression, homosexuality or intelligence is socially sensitive for those involved as it has implications for the rest of society.
