Issues and debates ms

causal explanations

• All variables are controlled except for light conditions (the IV)

• Any change in the number of details correctly recalled (the DV) must therefore be due to/caused by the manipulation of light intensity (the IV)

• Use of control enables the researcher to infer causality/cause and effect

hard determinism vs soft determinism

Hard determinism is the view that all behaviour is caused by forces outside a person’s control / behaviour caused by coercion whereas soft determinism is the view that behaviour is still caused but not by coercion / force / external events / environment but by their own wishes / conscious desires.

when mentioning determinism

separate into bio, environ, psychic for both explaining and examples/application

nature nurture debate

behaviour is governed by nature (genes etc) and by nurture (eg environment, experiences etc) and reference to the debate being about the relative contribution of each of these influences

heart rate as biological reductionism for excitement

• excitement is a broad construct / complex behaviour / has many aspects

• heart rate is a narrow, biological / physical component / unit / element / factor in overall excitement

levels of explanation

explanations vary from those at a lower or fundamental level focusing on basic components or units to those at a higher more holistic multivariable level

nomothetic approach prison example

• taking a nomothetic approach would involve the researcher testing a larger sample of offenders

• sampling should involve a method of sample selection to give representativeness of a larger population, eg random sampling of the prison population

• the researcher would probably use a testable hypothesis, eg violent offenders have more negative thoughts about childhood than non-violent offenders

• taking a nomothetic approach would involve collection of a large amount of data

• analysis would probably involve quantitative methods, eg statistical testing and the drawing of conclusions in relation to a wider population

• credit also comparison of the worth of idiographic and nomothetic approaches, eg how idiographic investigations yield information that is rich, in-depth (journals inform about the precise nature of the negative thoughts enabling greater insight) whereas nomothetic investigations enable the formulation of general laws, eg offenders have a more negative view of their childhood

how to deal with issue of social sensitivity

• Awareness of issue: Researchers should be aware of the implications of their research: possible negative impact for the children in the sample; possible negative implications of the research for the reputation of Crayford school and the wider community; possible self-fulfilling prophecy

• Dealing with the issue: Researchers should take adequate steps to counter the above: sensitive briefing/debriefing of participants, parents, teachers etc; care in relation to publication, disclosure of results and confidentiality/anonymity.

why sometimes necessary to deceive

if participants knew the aim, they might change their behaviour (1 mark). Second mark for elaboration eg this might affect validity