Issues & Debates

Nature-nurture debate

The nature-nurture debate is whether aspects of human behaviour are determined by internal or acquired characteristics

Nature

The view that behaviour is caused by innate biological or genetic factors

Nurture

The view that environment and our experiences determines human behaviour

Who’s beliefs aligns with the nurture stance

John Locke (argues that mind is a blank slate—tabula rasa)

What theories/research is there in psychology to support nature?

Biological Approach, monotropic theory of attachment , biological preparedness(phobias), genetic explanations of ocd(+twin studies)

What are some theories/research in psychology to support nurture

Behaviourist approach(+little albert study), Learning theory of attachment , two process model(phobias) and SLT( bandanas boho doll experiment)

Interactionist Approach

The view that nature and nurture work together to shape human behaviour

-not a ‘debate’ but instead suggest behaviour is from a combination of both

Examples of interactionism

Diathesis stress model, epigenetic and constructivism

Diathesis Stress Model

Suggests behaviour is caused by biological or environmental vulnerability which is expressed when exposed to a trigger(stressor)

Epigenetics

Refers to a change in our genetic activity without changing genes themselves due to interacting with environment

Example of Epigenetics (Real life)

WW2 Deutsch famine

-babies born had low birth weight and were 2x more likely to develop schizophrenia

Constructivism

The idea that people create their nurture by actively selecting environments suitable for their nature

Example of constructivism

E.g. a child who is naturally aggressive would be more comfortable around other rough people or placed into a sport like boxing(this environment would have an affect)

What examples of interactionism shows nurture affecting nature

Diathesis stress model and epigenetics

What example of interactionism should nature affecting nurture

Constructivism

Discussion points for nature-nurture debate

Practical application(Diathesis stress model) , research supports(epigenetics), use of adoption studies

How does the Diathesis stress model have practical application

Nesdadt(2010) found that ocd heritability rate=76

-informs genetic counselling as high heritability does not mean it is inevitable that individuals will develop the disorder

=can receive advice on likelihood and how to prevent

What does the research support (deutsch famine) for epigenetics show?

Shows that life experiences from previous generations can leave genetic ‘markers’ that influence health/nature of offspring

Significance of adoption studies

Helps us to separate the competing influences(nature and nurture)

-if child more like adoptive parents = nurture, if child more like biological parents =nature

=allows us to study these influences on human behaviour

Holistic vs reductionism debate

Discusses what information we should draw from to best explain behaviour . Should we break behaviour down into its constituent parts or is it better to look at someone as a whole and al l contributing factors?

What’s different about the holism vs reductionism debate compared to others e.g free will vs determinism

There’s no continum e.g soft determinism as once you start to break down holism it is reductionism

Holism

Looking at a whole system or person to best understand behaviour and all factors are taken into account

Reductionism

Process of breaking behaviour down into its constituent elements

Examples of holism in psychology

The Humanistic Approach

Examples of reductionism in psychology

Biological explanations of OCD, MSM, behaviourist approach(Pavlov and little Albert studies)

What are some different types of reductionism?

Biological reductionism, machine reductionism , environmental reductionism

E.g biological reductionism means only looks at biological factors (breaks it down to that aspect )

Levels of explanation

Explains behaviour at different levels from the most basic a biological explanations to more complex psychological and social ones

Lowest level of explanation

The neurochemica/physiological level - focuses on biological and physiological explanations such as genes ad brain structure

OCD example would be low serotonin , abnormal frontal lobe functioning

Middle level of explanation

Psychological, physical or behavioural explanation—focuses on the behavioural , social and cognitive aspects displayed

OCD example= the anxiety, compulsions

Highest level of explanation

Sociocultural level—look at how behaviour is influenced by /influences how and where we live

OCD example=affecting social relationships

Holism vs Reductionism discussion points

Holistic view(little practical value), Reductionist approach more scientific, reductionism applicable in all cases?

How does the holistic approach have little practical value

We cannot tell what the most influential factor on human behaviour so it is hard to form treatment etc.

How is reductionist approach more scientific

Breaks down behaviour so variables can be operationalised ,this creates objective experiments (e.g in strange situation , separation anxiety is operationalised to study attachment.)

=greater credibility

Why might reductionism not be applicable in all cases?

Some behaviour can only be understood at a higher level and cannot be broken down

E.g social behaviour only emerges in group content so cannot be studied in terms of individual behaviour (e.g Stanford prison experiment)

=better explained at a higher level or even holistically for a more valid explanation

How is the Stanford prison experiment an example of behaviour that needs to be studied at a higher level/

Studying conformity and there is no conformity gene , this means the interaction is important = only occurs in that context not individually

Idiographic vs Nomothetic debate

Discusses the best method to study human behaviour

Idiographic

Focuses on the individual and emphasises unique personal experiences through qualitative methods

Nomothetic

Aims to establish general laws by studying large groups and using quantitative methods

Examples of idiographic research in psychology

Czech twin studies, little Albert, Clive , H.M and K.F in memory

Examples of nomothetic research in psychology

Nesdadt twin studies, strange situations , MIlgram and asch (S.I) ,Skinners box and Pavlov study in approaches (large samples , lab methods and general laws of conditioning , memory lab studies

Idiographic vs Nomothetic discussion points

Idiographic approach has limited generalisability , nomothetic approach is more scientific , and nomothetic approach practical applications

How does idiographic approach have limited generalisability

Focuses on understanding individual case sin depth so cannot necessarily generalise findings to larger population

=emphasis on uniqueness may make it difficult to draw broad conclusions and make universal laws

How does the nomothetic approach have practical application?

Can predict an control behaviour

E.g development of SSRIs for ocd and depression which improves live and limits economic implications

=shows how general principles and patterns can be applied to develop treatments etc that are effective for a wide range of individuals

Free will vs determinism debate

Looks at whether behaviour is a matter of free will or a product of set internal/external influences that determine who we ar and what we do

Free will

The belief that humans can make their own choices and control their behaviour

Determinism

The belief that human behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces rather than the will to do something

How is the nomothetic approach more scientific ?

Use of standardised procedures , control of variables e.g memory study example

1. =high internal validity and establishments of law/norms which gives psychology more scientific credibility

What is the difference between determinism and reductionism

One looks at how we explain behaviour (reductionism) and the other looks at the cause of behaviour(determinism)

Types of determinism

Aside from hard and soft determinism we have:

-environmental determinism(behaviourist approach)

-psychic determinism (psychodynamic approach)

-biological determinism (biological approach)

Psychic Determinism

Behaviour caused by unconscious conflicts we cannot control

Scientific emphasis of causal explanations

Scientists believe that every event has a cause and the cause can b explained using general laws

-allows scientists to predict and control events in the future

What must psychologists do to be able to infer causality?

Develop a theory followed by a prediction, then study using empirical methods , and then identify whether there is a significant effect on the DV(if there is = indications of causal explanation)

Free will vs Determinism discussion points

No free will(libet), idea of determinism is bad(Rebecca), does determinism work with court system?

Libets research (1983)

Instructed ppts to choose a random moment to flick their wrist and measured brain activity

-found that brain activity for conscious decision happened around ½ sec before participants felt they decided to move

=suggest that behaviour is determined by brain before we are even aware

Rebeccas research (2000)

Studied teens who believed they had no free will/control in their life’s

-teens were found to have greater risk of developing depression , external LOC=less optimistic

=idea of determinism could be damaging for mental health , may be better to believe we have free will

Why is determinism not ideal for the court system

Legal system does not operate this way , we believe defendants exercise free will when committing a crime

-we cannot typically argue that it was due to biological or environmental factors

=suggest that in the real world determinism doesn’t work

Gender Bias

The differential treatment and/or representation of males and females , based on stereotypes and not real differences

Alpha Bias

Research that exaggerates the differences between men and women

Beta Bias

Reserach that minimises the differences between men and women

Andocentrism

When behaviour is judged according to the male standard as the ‘normal’

Gynocentrism

When behaviour is judged according to the female standard as ‘normal’

What is an example of beta bias

Research into fight or flight response

-cannon suggest fight or flight(using male animals )

-but Taylor later on said women are more likely to ‘tend and befriend ‘

=can misinterpret behaviour

Why are women more likely to ‘tend and befriend’

‘Love’ hormone oxytocin is more in women(smaller quantities in men) and respond to stress by producing this hormone =reduces fight or flight response

Example of andocentrism

PMS

-women behaviour when considered, misunderstood and at worst pathologised

-medicalises women’s emotion e.g anger but men’s is rational and a result of ‘external pressure’

Limitation of gender bias

Sexism in research process and negative implications

How does gender bias promote sexism in the research process

Women are underrepresented in university department

-although undergraduate intake for psych is women, lecturers are more likely to be men (Murphy et al 2014)=disadvantages ppts who are women as study likely to be conducted by men

-e.g particular expectations for women not to be able to complete complex, be irrational etc

=produces findings that are gender bias(continues/cycle)