Page 2: Advanced Concepts and Research Approaches
This page continues the exploration of key terms in Issues and Debates Psychology, focusing on research methodologies and more complex psychological concepts.
Definition: The nomothetic approach is defined as the study of human behavior aimed at discovering general laws or principles, contrasting with the idiographic approach mentioned on the previous page.
The concept of psychic determinism is introduced, highlighting the belief that our behavior is caused by unconscious conflicts beyond our control. This idea is crucial in psychoanalytic theories and contributes to the broader debate on free will versus determinism in psychology.
Highlight: Soft determinism is presented as a middle ground in the free will debate, suggesting that behavior is caused by conscious choices within the constraints of internal and external factors.
The page also touches on the concept of reductionism, which is a significant topic in AQA A level Psychology Issues and debates. This approach attempts to explain complex phenomena by breaking them down into simpler components.
Vocabulary: Social sensitivity is mentioned, emphasizing the importance of considering social and cultural factors in psychological research and interpretation.
The glossary concludes with the concept of universality in psychology, referring to characteristics or behaviors that are common across all human beings, regardless of cultural or individual differences.
Example: An example of universality might be basic emotions like happiness or fear, which are recognized across different cultures.
This comprehensive glossary provides students with a solid foundation for understanding and discussing complex issues and debates in psychology, preparing them for Issues and Debates Psychology exam questions and further study in the field.
