Determinism: Belief that human behaviour is determined by factors that they cannot control; therefore, it
is predictable
– The approach is more scientific, it isolates variables and tries to examine them under controlled
condition. Therefore, this makes society more willing to accept the findings.
– It emphasizes cause and effect, which make the world more understandable and predictable.
– It implies that we can predict our behaviour, which in most cases is not true.
– It does not take into account anomalies or individual differences.
– It implies that humans are not responsible for their actions, which causes lots of debates, especially
surrounding crimes.
Free will: Belief that human beings can have some choice in how they act and therefore they are free to
choose their behavior
– It fits it with societies’ view of responsibility for actions.
– It emphasizes on the individual, therefore takes into account individual differences and anomalies.
– It means that behaviour cannot be predicted or measured, however this concept can be diminished by
studies such as Bandura.
– It cannot be tested, lacks scientific proof, therefore it is highly unreliable.
Reductionism: Belief that human behaviour can explained by reducing it to one single cause or a series
of component parts
– Allows to look in detail at component that affect behaviour.
– It can be used to explain some types of behaviour and disorders.
– It is open to testing.
– It over simplifies complex behaviours.
– It does not consider other factors that affect behaviour.
– It makes complex behaviour very simplistic.
Holism: Looks at individuals as a whole, or perhaps looks at all factors together, which might explain a
behaviour
– Looks at everything that may impact on a behaviour.
– Considers more than one cause.
– Allows for detail analysis.
– Does not allow for detailed study in one area.
– Cannot explain mental illnesses.
– May over complicate behaviour with simple explanation.
Snapshot study occurs when data are collected at one point in time using a group of participants.
+These are time-efficient as it might only take weeks to complete a study, collect all data and analyse
them.
is predictable
– The approach is more scientific, it isolates variables and tries to examine them under controlled
condition. Therefore, this makes society more willing to accept the findings.
– It emphasizes cause and effect, which make the world more understandable and predictable.
– It implies that we can predict our behaviour, which in most cases is not true.
– It does not take into account anomalies or individual differences.
– It implies that humans are not responsible for their actions, which causes lots of debates, especially
surrounding crimes.
Free will: Belief that human beings can have some choice in how they act and therefore they are free to
choose their behavior
– It fits it with societies’ view of responsibility for actions.
– It emphasizes on the individual, therefore takes into account individual differences and anomalies.
– It means that behaviour cannot be predicted or measured, however this concept can be diminished by
studies such as Bandura.
– It cannot be tested, lacks scientific proof, therefore it is highly unreliable.
Reductionism: Belief that human behaviour can explained by reducing it to one single cause or a series
of component parts
– Allows to look in detail at component that affect behaviour.
– It can be used to explain some types of behaviour and disorders.
– It is open to testing.
– It over simplifies complex behaviours.
– It does not consider other factors that affect behaviour.
– It makes complex behaviour very simplistic.
Holism: Looks at individuals as a whole, or perhaps looks at all factors together, which might explain a
behaviour
– Looks at everything that may impact on a behaviour.
– Considers more than one cause.
– Allows for detail analysis.
– Does not allow for detailed study in one area.
– Cannot explain mental illnesses.
– May over complicate behaviour with simple explanation.
Snapshot study occurs when data are collected at one point in time using a group of participants.
+These are time-efficient as it might only take weeks to complete a study, collect all data and analyse
them.
