Learning Objective
• To be able to apply knowledge to short
answer questions on the debates
DO NOW: Which debates have
we covered in full so far? Make
each one into a mini mind-map
on your A3 paper
Starter
• TASK: on A3 complete a spider diagram of
all of the A02 points of the debates we
have covered so far
Free Will and Determinism
Nature – Nurture
Top
3
A02
Holism and Reductionism
points for each
debate
Remember
it’s A02
points only!!
A01s are
simple!
Introduction
• Short answer questions for the debates
are a big thing
• The key thing to understand is exactly
which parts of the information the
examiners are looking for
Main
• In small groups you are working on answering several
short answer questions
• You will complete each one in turn and then bring them
to me to check that you have all of the key points
according to the mark scheme
• Once your answer has scored full marks, tick off your
team name on the board
• You must do questions 1 and 3 – these are from your
mock examination!
Feedback: Mock Focus Q1 and Q3
•
1. Briefly outline the free will and determinism debate in psychology.
Explain one reason why a belief in the existence of free will conflicts with
scientific enquiry. (4 marks)
• Question 09 [AO3 = 4 marks]
• AO3 Up to two marks for an outline of the debate. Allow one mark for each
side of the debate. For free will credit reference to: choice; ability to make
decisions; behaviour and thought under the control of the will/volition of an
individual; people as agents of own behaviour. For determinism credit
reference to behaviour caused by internal /external forces.
• Up to two marks for an explanation as to why a belief in the existence of
free will conflicts with scientific enquiry. One mark for a superficial or
muddled explanation. Two marks for a sufficiently detailed and clear
explanation.
• Likely answers are:
 science is based on causal explanations whereas free will implies that
behaviours and thinking are non-deterministic;
 science aims to predict and control behaviour whereas free will implies that
behaviours and thinking result from a person’s complete freedom to control
what he or she does and thinks;
 the idea that a non physical phenomenon like free will can have an effect on
the physical world in the form of behaviour is at odds with the assumption of
science that a physical effect must have a physical cause.
Feedback: Mock Focus Q1 and Q3
• 2. Explain what is meant by the nature-nurture debate in psychology.
(4 marks)
• [AOl = 2, AO2 = 2]
• AOl One mark for outlining the term nature; genes, innate or
inherited factors.
• One mark for outlining the term nurture; environment, experience.
• AO2 Marks to be awarded for explaining the debate; a controversy
within psychology that is concerned with the extent to which
particular aspects of a behaviour are a product of either acquired or
inherited characteristics.
• A further mark for an expansion. Most likely expansions will be
areas of controversy such as intelligence (explanations of
differences between individuals) or sex role (genes and hormonal
influences or socially constructed and reinforced). Marks can be
gained for information as to the roots of the debate; nativist
philosophy vs empiricism or implications of the debate.
Plenary
• Based on your learning today, in your
pairs, devise a 4 mark question which
might come up on your PSYB4
examination
• 1. Explain what is meant by the naturenurture debate in psychology. (4 marks)
• 2. Jamie is a healthy 18-year-old of average
intelligence. When he was six days old, he was
diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. His parents were
informed that, as a result of the disorder, Jamie would
have severe learning difficulties unless he was kept on a
special diet. His parents followed this advice and Jamie
has not suffered any damage to his intelligence or to his
learning abilities.
• In the context of the nature-nurture debate in
psychology, outline what is meant by an interactionist
approach. Refer to Jamie’s case in your answer. (4
marks)
• 3. Briefly outline the free will and
determinism debate in psychology. Explain
one reason why a belief in the existence
of free will conflicts with scientific enquiry.
(4 marks)
• 4. Briefly discuss strengths of the
idiographic approach in psychology. (4
marks)
• 5. Participants in a research study were ordered
to give very powerful electric shocks to another
person. Although the participants believed the
shocks to be real, they still carried out the order.
After taking part, some participants said, “I had
to give the shocks. The experimenter ordered
me to.”
• With reference to the above scenario, briefly
explain what is meant by the free will and
determinism debate in psychology. (4 marks)
• 6 Briefly discuss one limitation of
reductionism in psychology. (4 marks)
• 7. In the context of the holism and
reductionism debate in psychology, outline
one strength and one limitation of holistic
explanations of behaviour (4 marks)
Plenary
• Based on your learning today, in your
pairs, devise a 4 mark question which
might come up on your PSYB4
examination