Nesbitt
Gender Bias Cultural bias
Predominance of male psychologists has led to biased theories based on a Psychology is mainly the study of white American male stude
male perspective.
Universality and bias Ethnocentrism Cultural relativis
Universality and bias Alpha bias Beta bias Androcentric
• If conclusions can be • When one’s own • Psychology has
• If conclusions can be • Exaggerates • Minimises the • Normal behaviour is
applied to everyone culture is seen as the etic approach (
applied to everyone differences between differences between judged from male
• Bias may be an ‘norm’ or ‘standard’ Ainsworth.)
• Bias may be an the sexes the sexes standard
inevitable part of the • E.g. Ainsworth’s ideal • Instead it shou
inevitable part of the • E.g. Freud • E.g. Kohlberg and fight • E.g. female aggression
research process. attachment type. – Acknowledgi
research process. or flight. explained by PMS.
relativism.
The nature vs nurture debate
Environment and genes interact to produce behaviour. Ethical implications of research and theo
Research ahs social and ethical consequences.
Nature Nurture Relative importance of Interactionist approach.
• Nativists argue that • Lerner identified different heredity and environment. • Attachment (temperament and Ethical implications Socially sensitive research Ethical issu
human characteristics levels of the pre and post- • Nature and nurture parenting.) • Ethical guidelines • Research that has sensitive r
are determined by natal environment. influences cannot be logically • Diathesis-stress model protect individuals but potential consequences • Sieber a
heredity and this can separated. • Epigenetics: interactions between research has an effect for the participants. identify
be measured by a genes and the environment may on public opinion and • Psychologist have a social • Implicat
heritability coefficient affect future generations. policy. responsibility to carry this public po
out. of the re