Psych Issues and debates definitions

Nature:

The view that behaviour is a product of genetic or innate biological factors for example hormones and neurotransmitters. (1)

The nature side of the debate is focused on the contribution of nature which is rooted in the nativist theory that assumes heredity factors are more important and that knowledge/abilities are biologically innate. (1)

Nurture

The view that behaviour is a product of environmental influences and experiences learned in the environment. (1)

The nurture side of the debate is focused on the contribution of nurture which is rooted in the empiricist theory that knowledge derives from learning and experience. (1)

Freewill:

The view that humans have an active role and can make choices about their behaviour. (1)

Behaviour is not determined by internal or external forces. (1)

Determinism:

The view that human behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces. (1)

Behaviour has a cause and can always be predicted and free will is an illusion. (1)

Holism:

The view that human behaviour is too complex to be broken down into simple parts and we should study behaviour as a whole system. (1)

Taking into account a range of different factors including social, cultural and biological reasons for a persons’ behaviour. (1)

Reductionism:

The view that human behaviour can be explained by studying behaviour through breaking it down into simpler component parts. (1)

Biological reductionism is when behaviour is explained at the level of genetics, brain structure and neurotransmitters only. (1)

Ethnocentrism:

Emphasising the importance of the behaviour of one’s own culture as superior (1)

And judging other cultures based on one’s own cultural norms for accurate human behaviour. (1)

Cultural relativism:

Appreciating that behaviour varies between cultures. (1)

And that behaviour can only be properly understood if it is studied in the cultural context that it has occurred. (1)

Gender: Alpha bias:

Research that exaggerates differences between males and females. (1)

Gender: Beta bias:

Research that minimises differences between males and females. (1)

Nomothetic:

The approach where researchers study human behaviour to make generalisations about human behaviour. (1)

Large groups of people are studied using quantitative statistical methods to generate laws of universality. (1)

Idiographic:

The approach where researchers study human behaviour and experiences as individual personal experiences. (1)

Single cases or individuals are studied using qualitative data and no universal laws are generated. (1)