holism and reductionism

Question 1

holism

Answer 1

idea that it makes more sense to study an indivisble system rather than its constituent parts

Question 2

reductionism

Answer 2

breaks down complex phenomemon into more simple components - can be easily understood

Question 3

biological reductionism

Answer 3

reducing behaviour to biology as it is based on the premise that we are biological organsisms e.g ocd

Question 4

environmental reductionism

Answer 4

all behaviour can be explained in terms of simple stimulus response links e.g phobias

Question 5

levels of explaination

Answer 5

• different ways of viewing the same phenomena in psychology
  highest level = cultural and social explanations

middle level = psychological explanations

lower level = biological explanations

Question 6

advantages of holism

Answer 6

provides a complex picture
- such as conformity - provides a complete picture

Question 7

disadvantages of holism

Answer 7

difficult to explain types of explanations
- becomes difficult to identfy which explanation is the most influential and therefore which explnation is most useful for treatment

hypothetical and based on empirical evidence
- lack of empircial evidence

Question 8

strengths of reductionism

Answer 8

consistent with scientifiic approach
- consistent with the aims of science
- easily measured and manipulated under lab conditions so correlations can be established - increases valdity

practical application in drug therapy
- development of effective drug treatment e.g ssris

Question 9

limitations of reductionism

Answer 9

ignores complexity of behaviour
- reduces the validity because it ignores the social context