ISSUES DEBATES & BIAS IN

PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH.

How can I illustrate my

knowledge of these topics in
my answers?

Why are these issues

important?
It allows you to be thematic- As
learners of psychology you will be
able to draw upon links and
connections between topics.
This skill will allow your written
response to have a more synoptic
feel- Thus you will access the higher
marks available in examinations.

OkSo what are the

issues/themes & debates?
Broadly speaking
the above fall into
the categories
listed, the list is
indicative not
exhaustive

Gender Bias
Androcentric Bias
Ethnocentric Bias
Free Will
Determinism
Reductionism
Ethics
Use of non human
studies/ethics.

What do I do with these

topics
The examiner wants you to demonstrate
that you able to pull all these strands of
issues together to produce a response that
has depth and breadth.
Depth- Good detailed coverage of the
topic.
Breadth- Illustration of how the topic is
inter-related to a number of different topics
across many disciplines e.g. law,
Philosophy, Biology etc

Example question from Unit

3.
As children branch out to social relationships with their peers, gender development
continues in very powerful ways ,in the games they play, the relationships they form,
and how they react to each others behaviours..
Discuss the influence of social context on gender development.

{16-13 marks Effective}

Evaluation demonstrates sound analysis and understanding.
The answer is well focused and shows coherent elaboration and/or a
clear line of argument.
Issues/debates/approaches are used effectively.
There is substantial evidence of synopticity.
Ideas are well structured and expressed clearly and fluently.
Consistently effective use of
Psychological terminology. Appropriate use of grammar, punctuation
and spelling.

This is the top band of evaluative marks available.

G!
!

Initial response!!

WTF!!

Lets look at this together!

Issues, debates and approaches relevant
to this question might include:
Gender and cultural bias.
Ethical issues.
Nature/nurture.
Approaches.
Relevant reference to issues, debates and
approaches is necessary for marks above
9/16.
(Straight from the mouths of the examiners!)

Top band answers would

consider!!
Is there evidence to support the view that gender development is
the result of nature (genes) or nurture (environment)?
Ethical issues- Research using children

(think...BPS to start with!)

How would the different approaches describe social influence

gender development
Gender- Are boys & girls roles being stereotyped in the research?
Are the assumptions arrived at/focus of investigation really
objective and value free?
Cultural- Has research been carried out cross culturally?
Is cultural variation being taken into account?
Issues/debates/approaches are used effectively.
There is substantial evidence of synopticity.

Another example of possible

synoptic assessment.
Cause = nature or nurture
Free
Will/Determinism/Reductionism
.

ECT=
irreversible
Side effects

Schizophrenia

Biology vs.
psychological
explanations

Treatments=ethical issues Culture=Not diagnosed as much in

some cultures...why?

Therefore remember
Synopcity
Should be used as much as possible.
Across all responses.
To gain access to higher marks
remember (Relevant reference to issues, debates and approaches
is necessary for marks above 9/16).

Is the bread and butter of advanced

level evaluation from now on