Issues and Debates

What is meant by ethnocentrism in psychology? (2 marks)

• judging other cultures according to the norms/standard/values of one’s own culture

• at the extreme, believing in the superiority of one’s own culture

examples of ethnocentrism including brief explanation of why/how this illustrates ethnocentrism

Outline two limitations of ethnocentrism (4 marks)

• can lead to prejudice against other ethnic groups/out groups

• can lead to discrimination against other ethnic groups/out groups

• increases in-group, out-group identity – emphasises apparent differences between own ethnic group and others

• assumes members of an ethnic group are all the same/negates individual differences

• in psychology, has led to the adoption of a ‘Western norm’ which would then devalue other cultures

• findings from ethnocentric research should not be generalised to other cultures as only one culture has been studied – lack of validity

Outline what is meant by soft determinism. (2 marks)

• the idea that behaviour/actions/traits are to an extent governed/dictated by internal/external forces

• despite this, we still have some element of control over/some free will to control our behaviour/actions/traits etc.

Using an example of a research study you have learned about in psychology, outline what is meant by a nomothetic approach to psychological investigation.

• a nomothetic approach involves studying a (large) sample of participants

• using the findings to generate or substantiate general laws/models of behaviour; make inferences about the wider population/make generalisations; make predictions

• Milgram tested a sample of participants to propose his theory of situational obedience

• Ainsworth tested infants using the Strange Situation to propose three attachment types

There are many examples of socially sensitive research in psychology. Outline what social sensitivity means in the context of psychology. Explain how researchers in psychology could deal with issues related to social sensitivity. (8 marks)

Possible content:

• research which has potential implications or consequences, eg leading to prejudice and discrimination

• where a group of people represented in the research might be negatively affected as a result of a study, eg women affected by Bowlby’s work on attachment

• where a study leads to changes in public policy affecting individuals/groups, eg research into IQ in the 1950s leading to educational changes

Possible explanation points:

• submit research proposals to ethics committees and abide by any recommendations

• weigh up the possible costs and benefits before conducting any research. Only proceed where the benefits (to many) outweigh the costs (to a few)

• take care when formulating the aim/framing the question so as not to misrepresent certain groups

• be alert to the possibility of misuse of findings and take steps to present findings in a value-free way

• consider the wider effects of publication of the findings eg Sieber and Stanley's recommendations as part of the peer review process

• take steps to avoid prejudicial/biased/sensational media presentation of findings

• consider the possible reactions of participants to any research procedure they experience and take account of ethical issues in the design of any studies

• use of examples to illustrate specific ways in which social sensitivity can be taken into account