Word A Day

Question 1

Idiographic approach

Answer 1

Attempts to describe the nature of the individual as a unique entities with own subjective experiences motivations and values, without generalising to all

Question 2

Nomothetic approach

Answer 2

Aims to produce general laws of behaviour using large samples of quantitative data

Question 3

Research question

Answer 3

A source of ethical problems. Just by studying a particular subject, such as racial differences in IQ could cause issues

Question 4

Socially sensitive research

Answer 4

Research which could have potentially negative impact on a particular group

Question 5

Conduct of research and treatment of participants

Answer 5

The ethical implications of your study for your participants

Question 6

Institutional context

Answer 6

There may be pressure from the sponsors of a study to ‘massage’ the findings and come to unscientific conclusions

Question 7

Interpretation and application of findings

Answer 7

The way in which findings could be exploited by others for unethical purposes, such as to support racist or sexist prejudice

Question 8

Publication bias/file-drawer effect

Answer 8

Where psychologists only publish research that supports their aims, and hide away any negative results, creating a biased perception