Debates

Free Will

The argument is that we have the freedom to act as we want at all times. We have the choice to behave as we wish and are responsible for our actions.

Determinism

The argument that we do not have control over our actions but are controlled by internal factors (biology or genes) (biological determinism), or by external factors (environmental determinism).

Nature

suggests that behaviour is the product of innate biological factors. e.g. Genetics, biological maturation etc

Nurture

argues that behaviour is learned or acquired through experiences in our environment.

Reductionism

The idea that the nature of complex things (e.g. behaviour) can be reduced to the sum of simpler more fundamental factors.

Holism

The idea that the ‘whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ and in order to understand behaviour researchers should consider how different factors at each level contribute to behaviour

Individual

Suggests that behaviours are unique to the individual and are caused by internal factors e.g. biological factors, (DNA and genetics), personality, cognitive processes

Situational

Focuses on how aspects of the situation at the time may affect behaviour. Examples could be peer pressure, authority figures, ingroups/outgroups