DEBATE - Reductionism VS Holism Flashcards
Holism
We are complex and can only be understood by analysing the person, considering all interacting factors making a person human
Reductionism
Human behaviour is broken down into component parts. Investigate only 1 or 2 factors
Biological Reductionism
Considered the component parts of our physical body eg genes, neurology, nervous system. It ignites other factors
Environmental Reductionism
Considers all behaviour is due solely to a stimulus-response. It ignores other factors like biology, emotion
Machine Reductionism
Humans are like computers. Cognitive approach, theoretical models
Levels of Explanation
High level - multiple factors, socio cultural, hollism
Middle level - psychological theory, some reductionism, psychological
Low level - bio and behavioural - very reductionist
DEBATE PARAGRAPH 1
P - one point to debate is whether redictionist strategies are more practical to research than hollism
E - SZ practically check the effectiveness of anti psychotics (70%) as only considers drug treatments - low level reductionism
Alt - Hollism approaches are impractical as to many variables to consider to study scientifically
E - SZ is more than just dopamine (eg environment, family dysfunction and cognitive processes) moden dsm and socio cultural factors - prove?
DEBATE PARAGRAPH 2
P - further point to debate is that hollism provides a valid explanation of human behaviour
E - Aggression with offenders, not just genetics but an interaction beteeen education, low self esteem, DAT, Cognition
Alt - however holism cannot be studied scientifically to see how valid, also true of reductionism
E - for example cannot emperically see neurotransmitters
DEBATE PARAGRAPH 3
P - another point to debate is reductionism has good benefits for real life implications and treatments
E - SD using CC and OC, proven and replicated to stop phobias. Little Albert
Alt - not everyone has a stimulus so SD does not work for everyone
E - Wolpe - SD to remove an insect phobia - abusive husband named Ant
