Holism and Reductionism

Question 1

What is holism

Answer 1

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no

Is the highest level of explanation in psych as it encompasses everything
Often referred to as Gestalt psychology
Argues that behaviour cannot be understood in terms of the components that make them up
This is commonly described as ‘the whole being greater than the sum of its parts’

Question 2

What is reductionism

Answer 2

Lowest level of explanation as simplifies everything
Theory that all complex systems can be completely understood in terms of their components
It is based on scientific principle of parsimony that all phenomena should be explained by its most basic principles

Question 3

now ask elishka 4 the reductionist and holism hierarchy photo on her phone

Answer 3

ok bye

Question 4

What are the 5 levels of explanations for OCD

Answer 4

Social-cultural context
Psychological - guilt/disgust/depression
Cognitive - irrational thoughts
Physiological - genetics
Neurochemical - serotonin/dopamine

Question 5

What level is extreme reductionism of hard sciences

Answer 5

Low level

Question 6

What level isw biological to psychological

Answer 6

Mid-level

Question 7

What level is sociological

Answer 7

High level

Question 8

What level is biological reductionism

Answer 8

Basic level

Question 9

What level is machine reductionism

Answer 9

Mid-level in psychology

Question 10

What level is environmental

Answer 10

Less extreme form of reductionism

Question 11

What are +ve benefits of holism

Answer 11

Reminds us that whole is not just sum of other parts; explains how the combination of factors together causes behaviour
Provides a more complete understanding of behaviour; is a lot more reflective of how humans behave
Provides a more complete picture
Accepts and deals w complex nature of behaviour
Behaviour is influenced by many factors, so this explanation more useful

Question 12

What is a limitation of holism (-ve)

Answer 12

Difficult to establish how much each individual factor contributes to any particular behaviour so this means that explanations are unsatisfactory
Difficult to investigate the many differing types and levels of explanation
More hypothetical - not based on empirical evidence
Lacks predictive power of more scientific explanations
Neglects importance of biological influences

Question 13

What are the benefits of reductionism (+ve)

Answer 13

Recognises importance of biological explanations in human behaviour which is a +ve as there is a lot of evidence for the influence of biology on behaviour
Consistent w scientific approach
Breaking phenomena down into smaller components means the empirical method can be used
Easier to explain behaviour in concrete and concise terms
High level of predictive power

Question 14

What are some limitations of reductionism (-ve)

Answer 14

Ignores complexity of behaviour and can be oversimplified
Context is important in understanding meaning of behaviour
Focus on a single level of explanation leaves out other levels of explanation