A Level Issues & Debates

This debate concerns whether human behavior is primarily determined by genetics (nature) or environmental influences (nurture).

Example: Twin studies suggest significant heritability of intelligence, but environmental factors such as education and socio-economic status also play a crucial role.
Current Affair: The mental health crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted environmental factors — such as social isolation, economic hardship, and remote learning — impacting mental health, raising questions about the relative influence of biology versus environment.

Ethics involve protecting participants from harm, ensuring informed consent, and maintaining confidentiality.

Example: The Stanford prison experiment raised ethical issues regarding psychological harm and lack of informed consent.
Current Affair: Use of immersive VR in therapy is advancing, but ethical considerations about potential psychological distress and informed consent continue to be debated.

Psychological research can be used to influence public behavior, raising ethical questions.

Example: Behavioral economics principles like ‘nudge theory’ are used by governments to encourage healthier lifestyles and savings habits.
Current Affair: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments employed psychological tactics (e.g., fear appeals, social norms messaging) to promote mask-wearing and vaccination.

This debate examines whether human actions are controlled by free choice or determined by biological and environmental factors.

Example: Research into addiction suggests a mix of biological predispositions (brain chemistry) and environmental triggers.
Current Affair: Discussions around criminal responsibility often hinge on whether offenders can be held fully accountable, especially in cases involving mental illness or brain injury, illustrating the influence of biological determinism.

Psychological findings must consider cultural contexts; otherwise, they risk being overly simplistic or ethnocentric.

Example: Conformity studies (Asch’s experiment) show variability across cultures — collectivist cultures tend to conform more than individualist ones.
Current Affair: As social media’s influence grows, different cultures experience impacts on self-esteem, identity, and mental health differently, exemplifying the importance of cultural considerations in psychology.

The trustworthiness of findings depends on rigorous methodology and reproducibility.

Example: Many classic studies, such as Milgram’s obedience experiments, have faced difficulties in replication, leading to concerns about their reliability.
Current Affair: The recent “replication crisis” in psychology, with many studies failing to replicate, has prompted reforms towards greater transparency, such as open data practices.

Psychological research can guide policies and interventions to address societal challenges.

Example: Mental health initiatives aim to support vulnerable populations, like refugees and LGBTQ+ communities.
Current Affair: The increase in mental health issues among youth due to social media exposure and global crises has led to calls for improved mental health services, prevention strategies, and awareness campaigns.

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