Overview
This lecture covers key issues and debates in psychology, including bias, free will versus determinism, nature versus nurture, holism versus reductionism, approaches to research, and ethical implications.
Bias in Psychology
- Bias occurs when psychologists' beliefs influence research theories and data interpretation.
- Universality claims that behaviors apply to all humans, but may be untested and non-generalizable.
- Gender bias leads to misrepresentation due to stereotypical views; includes alpha (exaggerates differences) and beta (minimizes differences) bias.
- Androcentrism reflects male-centric perspectives from historically male-dominated psychology.
- Cultural bias interprets behaviors using one's own cultural norms.
- Ethnocentrism is judging other cultures by the standards of one's own.
- Cultural relativism means understanding behavior within its cultural context.
- Most research is "WEIRD" (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic); promotes lack of diversity.
- Encourage diversity, reflexivity, indigenous psychology, and clear reporting to reduce bias.
Free Will and Determinism
- Psychology relies on deterministic cause-effect relationships for scientific prediction.
- Hard determinism: behavior is fully controlled by forces outside individual control.
- Soft determinism: some choice is possible within deterministic boundaries.
- Free will: individuals consciously choose actions (humanistic/cognitive).
- Types of determinism: biological (genes, hormones), environmental (learning, culture), psychic (unconscious drives).
- Strict determinism may oversimplify; behavior results from multiple interacting factors.
- Libet's research questions true conscious free will.
Nature vs. Nurture
- Nature: behaviors determined by genetics and heredity.
- Nurture: behaviors shaped by environment and experience.
- Most psychologists accept an interactionist approach—both nature and nurture influence behavior.
- Diathesis-stress model: genetic predispositions require environmental triggers for expression.
- Epigenetics: environment alters gene expression.
- Accepting one side fully affects treatment, justice, and social views.
Holism vs. Reductionism
- Reductionism breaks complex phenomena into basic elements for empirical study.
- Biological reductionism focuses on genes and neurotransmitters.
- Environmental reductionism emphasizes simple stimulus-response mechanisms.
- Holism considers whole-person and cultural context.
- Levels of explanation range from biological to sociocultural.
- Both approaches have strengths and limitations; a balance is recommended.
Idiographic vs. Nomothetic Approaches
- Nomothetic: studies large groups to generalize laws using quantitative data and experiments.
- Idiographic: studies individuals in depth, focusing on subjective experience and qualitative data.
- Both approaches have complementary strengths; integration provides a fuller picture.
Ethical Implications of Research
- Research can have consequences for participants and social groups.
- Socially sensitive research may lead to stereotypes, discrimination, or policy misuse.
- Ethics committees use cost-benefit analysis for research approval.
- Reflexivity and value-free reporting reduce harm; peer review adds oversight.
- Long-term effects of research outcomes may only emerge years later.
- Examples: gendered attachment theory, defining abnormality, genetic explanations for crime.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Bias — influence of personal views on research interpretation.
- Universality — claim that findings apply to all humans.
- Alpha/Beta Bias — exaggerating or minimizing gender differences.
- Androcentrism — male-centered view in theories/research.
- Ethnocentrism — evaluating other cultures by one’s own standards.
- Cultural Relativism — understanding behavior in cultural context.
- Hard/Soft Determinism — absence/presence of free will in behavior control.
- Diathesis-Stress Model — genetic predisposition and environmental triggers for disorders.
- Reductionism — simplifying behavior to basic components.
- Holism — considering complex, whole-person perspectives.
- Nomothetic Approach — general laws from large samples.
- Idiographic Approach — in-depth study of individuals.
- Socially Sensitive Research — research with significant societal impacts.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review flashcards on issues and debates for active recall.
- Study detailed examples and explanations from long-form videos if unclear on any topic.
- Prepare for application questions using model answers and principal resources.
- Reflect on ethical considerations in case studies and research design.