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• The different debates


  Nature/nurture

  Freewill/determinism

  Individual/situational

  Reductionism/holism

  Ethical considerations

  Psychology as a science

  Usefulness of research

  Social sensitivity
• Nature/nurture


  Nature - Whether behaviour is a result of our genetic inheritance

  Nurture - Whether our behaviour is a result of upbringing/environment
• Freewill/Determinism


  Freewill - Whether we have control over our own actions/behaviour

  Determinism - Whether our behaviour is determined for us e.g. by genetics, environment etc.
• Individual/situational


  Individual - Whether behaviour is determined by factors internal to the individual e.g. personality

  Situational - Whether behaviour is determined by external factors e.g. the situation they are in.
• Reductionism/Holism


  Reductionism - Behaviour is understood through basic causes e.g. hormones, patterns of neural connections (single causes)

  Holism - Behaviour is understood through many different factors interacting with each other.
• Ethical considerations


  Whether the guidelines can prevent really worth while research from taking place. Can the benefits out-way the problems of how the participants are treated.
• Psychology as a science

  If conducting controlled scientific research is the best way to understand human behaviour.

  Research is seen as scientific if it is objective, replicable and falsifiable.
• Usefulness of research


  Debate about whether psychological research needs to be useful or if it can just further psychology as an academic science.

  Research can be seen as useful when it has practical applications.
• Conducting socially sensitive research


  Should psychologists refrain from conducting socially sensitive research or whether its the only way to challenge prejudices and arrive at the truth.
• Strengths and weaknesses of the nature/nurture debate

  Nature;

  S - Isn't ethnocentric

  W - Ignores other factors

  
  

  Nurture;

  S - Useful for changing behaviour, improving teaching, parenting etc.

  W - Ignored factors that we can help
• Strengths and weaknesses of individual/situational debate


  Individual;

  S -

  Helps understand people as individuals

  Helps match or find certain traits

  
  

  W -

  Ignores other reasons (reductionist)

  Limited usefulness

  
  

  Situational;

  S - Explains how we can help change behaviour by changing the situation

  W - Could be used as an excuse for negative behaviour.
• Strengths and weaknesses of freewill/determinism debate

  Freewill;

  S - Not socially sensitive

  W - Unscientific

  
  

  Determinist;

  S - If we know what determines behaviour we can change it.

  W - Reductionist
• Strengths and weaknesses of reductionism/holism

  Reductionist;

  S - Can be scientific

  W - Ignores other potential factors

  
  

  Holism;

  S - Shows complete sets of behaviours

  W - Difficult to find which factors have the effect.
• Benefits and drawbacks of psychological research being scientific

  Benefits;

  - It has scientific credibility

  - Its reliable

  - It is replicable

  
  

  Drawbacks;

  - Lacks ecological validity

  - Behaviours are more likely to be fabricated
• Benefits and drawbacks of psychological research being useful

  Benefits;

  - It can be applied/used in real life

  - Can help others

  - Easier funding

  
  

  Drawbacks;

  - Limits what we can research

  - Doesn't allow research for the purpose of pure learning
• Benefits and drawbacks of psychological research respecting ethical considerations

  Benefits;

  - Participants treated respectfully

  - It creates a good reputation

  - There will be more volunteers

  
  

  Drawbacks;

  - Limits what we can research

  - Sometimes it means missing beneficial research
• Benefits and drawbacks of conducting socially sensitive reaserch

  Benefits;

  - Answers important questions

  - Practical uses

  
  

  Drawbacks;

  - Can be used for negative implications/reasons

  - Can cause harm.