Introduction to A-Level Psychology

Issues and Debates

Become familiar with the key issues and debates at A-Level and be able to recall the key issues
and debates from AS level.

1. Review studies from the AS Level that exemplify the issues and debates.
- identify two examples for each and be able to explain why psychologists are concerned with
these issues and debates and how these have influenced experiment design and ethical
decisions.
- The issues and debates to consider are:
 the application of psychology to everyday life
 individual and situational explanations
 nature versus nurture
 the use of children in psychological research
 the use of animals in psychological research

2. Research each of the new issues and debates you have to consider at A-Level. Write a
paragraph briefly describing/defining each:
 cultural bias
 reductionism
 psychometrics
 determinism
 longitudinal research

Extension Activities

Cultural Bias KC3 and KC5

- describe, explain and identify issues associated with cultural bias.
- find a definition of both cultural bias and ethnocentrism from a dictionary or preferably a
psychology dictionary.
- analyse the differences between the two.
- find out two differences between your own culture and a different culture. Design a study
(choose the research method etc.) that tests these ‘differences’ fairly across the two cultures.
- (F) consider what examples of cultural bias you might find in your study and what could be
done to overcome them (if at all possible).

Reductionism KC4
- describe and explain and reductionism and the implication for this in psychological research.
- find definitions of reductionism from various sources and come up with a definition that
encompasses all of the definitions.
- explore the concept of the polar opposite: Holism. Can holism exist?
- what are the benefits and drawbacks of looking as something holistically rather than from a
reductionist perspective?
Psychometrics KC3
- describe, explain and identify issues associated with psychometric tests.
- find a definition of ‘psychometrics’ and two different examples of psychometric tests.
- participate in one of the tests (there are many online but choose ones that are not socially
sensitive).
- (F) write an account of how you felt the test went, was it measuring what it was supposed to
measure and any limitations of the test.

Determinism KC4
- describe, explain and identify issues associated with determinism.
- find a definition of Determinism and Soft Determinism.
- compare the two for similarities and differences.
- explore the concept of the polar opposite: Free Will. Can Free Will exist? Think of any
examples from their AS Level studies that show Free Will in participants?

Longitudinal studies KC3

- describe and explain longitudinal studies and rationalise why they might chose this study
design.
- find a definition of a longitudinal study and find an example of a real psychological study that
fits into the definition.
- list the strengths and weaknesses of using longitudinal research in psychology.