comparisons: reductionism Flashcards
How is the behaviourist approach reductionist?
It breaks up complex behaviour into stimulus-response parts to be tested easily in a lab
How is the biological approach reductionist?
It explains behaviour in terms of genes, neurones etc.
How is the psychodynamic approach reductionist and holistic?
It reduces much of our behaviour down to the influence of sexual drives and biological structures. However, it can be seen as holistic as it highlights an interaction between the 3 parts of the personality.
How is the cognitive approach reductionist?
It has been accused of machine reductionism as it sees humans as being like a computer and it ignores emotional factors.
How is social learning theory reductionist but holistic?
It reduces complex learning to key processes (imitation) but it also emphasises the role of cognitive factors that mediate learning and how they interact with external influences
How is the humanistic approach holistic?
It involves looking at all aspects of an individual including wider society.
