ISSUES AND DEBATES Flashcards
(21 cards)
Alpha bias
A type of bias where differences between groups are exaggerated. This can result in ideas that one groups is different or superior. An example of this can be seen in early intelligence testing studying which resulted in discriminatory treatment of minority groups
Androcentrism
Type of gender bias where male experience/ behaviour is seen as the standard so female experiences is seen as abnormal.
Beta bias
A type of bias which ignores differences between different groups. Researchers generalising their findings to those not represented in their sample. This can led to androcentrism and ethnocentrism
Cultural relativism
Involves understanding and explains behaviour in the context of the norms and values of the society in which the behaviour originates from, rather making generalisations. This promotes respect and prevent negative judgements. It helps avoid ethnocentric bias.
Ethnocentrism
Is an issue of cultural bias. Occurs when one culture is perceived to be an idealised standard for behaviour. This is a tendency when viewing other cultures through the lens of ones own culture meaning interpretations could be biased. This can be overcome by cultural relativism and indigenous psychologies
Idiographic approach
Refers to the study of human behaviour by focusing on individuals unique experiences. Using qualitative data through unstructured interviews or case studies. They avoid universal generalisations
Nomothetic approach
Refers to seeking to identify universal traits and patterns in order to establish general laws
Social sensitivity
Socially sensitive research is that which has potentially negative implications and consequences for certain social groups. A lack of social sensitivity can result in prejudice or discriminatory social policies. Areas where this must be exercised is in theories of attachment =, psychopathology and relationships.
Biological determinism
Refers to the idea that all human behaviour is innate or determined by genes
Causal explanations
Research or studies that are heavily deterministic in its search for causal relationships as it seeks whether the IV causes changes to the DV by changing it.
Determinism
It is the view that free will is an illusion and our behaviour is governed by external and internal forces
Environmental determinism
It’s the view that behaviour is determined or caused by forces outside the individual. Behaviour is caused by previous experiences learned through classical and operant conditioning
Environmental reductionism
This assumes that all behaviour can be reduced to the simple building blocks of Stimulus and response association and break down complex behaviours into the series of S-R chains
Ethical implications
Considers the impact or consequences that psychological research has on the rights of other people in wider context, not just ppts taking part.
Free will
The idea we play an active role and have choice in how we behave. It’s self determined
Hard determinism
It’s the view that forces have complete authority
Holism
It’s the idea that human behaviour should been seen as a whole integrated experience and not separated parts
Interactionist approach
This argues that several levels of explanation are necessary to explain a particular behaviour, ranging from lower (biological) to higher levels (social and cultural)
Levels of explanation
The reductionist approach suggests that behaviour can be explained at different levels (social, cultural, psychological or biological)
Psychic determinism
Claims that human behaviour is the result of childhood experiences and innate drives
Universality
When a theory is described as universal, it means that it can apply to all people, irrespective of gender and culture
