Issues and debates definitions

Gender bias

Differential treatment or representation of males and females based on stereotypes, not real differences.

Alpha bias

Theories that exaggerate differences between men and women, often devaluing one gender.

Beta bias

Theories that ignore or minimize the differences between the sexes, assuming male findings apply equally to females.

Androcentrism

Theories that are centered on, or focused on males; male behavior seen as ‘norm’, and female behavior as a deviation.

Cultural bias

Judging people using your own cultural assumptions.

Ethnocentrism

Seeing the world from one’s own cultural viewpoint and believing it’s correct and normal.

Cultural relativism

The idea that behavior can only be understood within its cultural context.

Universality

Theories that apply to everyone, across genders and cultures, without bias.

Determinism

Behavior controlled by internal/external forces; free will is an illusion.

Free will

Individuals actively choose their behavior; self-determined.

Hard determinism

Behavior completely shaped by forces outside of control; incompatible with free will.

Soft determinism

Behavior partly constrained by internal/external forces but with some free will.

Biological determinism

Behaviors caused by genes, hormones, brain structure.

Environmental determinism

Behavior learned through experience, conditioning, and surroundings.

Psychic determinism

Behavior shaped by unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences.

Nature-nurture debate

The debate about whether behavior is mainly caused by genetics (nature) or the environment (nurture).

Interactionist approach

Argues that both nature and nurture interact to shape behavior.

Reductionism

Belief that human behavior can be explained by breaking it down into simpler parts.

Biological reductionism

Explains behavior in terms of biology: neurons, genes, neurotransmitters, hormones.

Holism

Sees behavior as a whole experience, not separate parts.

Idiographic

Focuses on individuals and unique personal experiences.

Nomothetic

Aims to create general laws of behavior using large samples and quantitative methods.

Ethical implications

Impact or consequences psychological research has on the rights of participants and others in wider society.

Social sensitivity

Research that has potential social consequences for the participants or groups represented.