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Issues & debates p2
AQA A-level psychology issues and debates year 13
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Holism | An approach which focuses on understanding the entirety of a person’s experiences and behaviours by appreciating the complexity and interdependence of all relevant factors |
| Reductionism | An approach which focuses on individual “parts” of a person’s experiences and behaviours without explaining how they interact |
| Emergent properties | Properties of a whole that cannot be explained by any of the individual parts in isolation |
| Machine reductionism | Viewing the mind as solely the product of mechanical or computational processes |
| Environmental reductionism | Explains human behaviours solely in terms of environmental stimuli and their direct influence on behaviour |
| Biological reductionism | Understanding complex phenomena solely in terms of the biological mechanisms that drive them such as genetics and hormones |
| Levels of explanation | The different ways of understanding and explaining a particular behaviour or phenomenon using different perspectives to study them. The 3 main levels are Biological, psychological and social/environmental |
| Levels of explanation: biological | How biological mechanisms contribute to thoughts, emotions, and actions |
| Levels of explanation: psychological | How internal mental processes and cognitive functions contribute to our behaviour |
| Levels of explanation: social/environmental | How the external environment, social interactions, cultural influences, and societal factors contribute to our behaviour |
| Integration of levels | Sometimes it can be important to consider multiple levels of explanation to gain a holistic understanding of behaviour and this is known as the “biopsychosocial approach” |
| Idiographic | The study of individuals to understand their unique characteristics, experiences, and behaviours |
| Nomothetic | Attempts to identify general principles and laws that apply to all people, or at least, to a large population |
| Methods, and strengths: idiographic | Uses qualitative data from methods such as interviews and case studies. Doesn't test hypotheses, only exceptions. Is more detailed, better suited to sensitive topics, and accounts for individual differences |
| Methods, and strengths: nomothetic | Uses quantitative data from experimental methods as well as closed questions and meta analyses. Develops and tests specific hypotheses. More representative, conclusions are easier to draw, more replicable |
| What to include at the end of an essay question about idiographic vs nomothetic | The debate is not necessary (false dichotomy) and it is better to have a mix of both |
| Socially sensitive research | Research that could have an impact on society, either for specific individuals or a social group |
| Seiber and Stanley guidelines: The research question | Simply by investigating a question can lend scientific credibility to it |
| Seiber and Stanley guidelines: Conduct of research and treatment of participants | The most important ethical consideration is anonymity. Especially if it’s a socially sensitive issue, lack of confidentiality could cause harm |
| Seiber and Stanley guidelines: Institutional context | Research is normally funded and managed by an institution or private company who may have a vested interest in the outcome and manipulate it by selectively publishing evidence in their favour |
| Seiber and Stanley guidelines: Interpretation and findings | Even if research is conducted ethically, others may report and apply these findings unethically so it is important to think of the consequences for socially sensitive research |
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