OCR GCSE Psychology Flashcards

Flashcards covering the nature/nurture debate, Social Learning Theory, and the Cooper & Mackie study.

Nature/Nurture Debate

The debate in psychology about whether our thoughts and behaviors are innate or learned.

Nature (in psychology)

The idea that some behaviors and personality traits are inherited through genes.

Nurture (in psychology)

The belief that we are born as a 'blank slate' and develop through experiences and interactions.

Criticism of Social Learning Theory

A theory that focuses on the role of nurture, potentially ignoring the role of nature in explaining criminal behavior.

Nature

Behaviors people are born with naturally.

Nurture

Behaviors people learn through experience.

Cooper & Mackie (1986)

A study investigating the transmission of aggression through imitation and aggressive models using video games.

Cooper & Mackie's Hypothesis

The prediction that playing an aggressive video game would lead to increased aggression in children.

Independent Variable in Cooper & Mackie Study

The type of game played or observed.

Dependent Variable in Cooper & Mackie Study

Aggression levels after playing or observing the game.

Aggression

Spoken or physical behavior that is threatening or involves harm to someone.

Randomly

To leave to chance.

Counterbalancing

To even out trials/tasks so they do not occur in the same order each time.

Arousal

Activation of the nervous system making individuals awake, alert and attentive.

Disinhibition

When people have a lack of control over their own behavior because they are not concerned about what is expected.

Criminal personality

A set of relatively fixed traits associated with people who commit crimes.