holism and reductionism

Question 1

limitation of the holism approach

Answer 1

1. lacks practical value
   - holistic accounts of human behaviour are hard to use as they are more complex
   - if we accept that there are many different factors that contribute to depression it then it becomes difficult to know which is most influential
   - then difficult to know which to prioritise as the basis for therapy

Question 2

strength of reduction (limitation of holistic approach)

Answer 2

1. scientific approach
   - in order to conduct well controlled research we need to operational the variables to be studied
   - makes it possible to conduct experiments or record observations in a way that is objective and reliable
   - strange situation operationalised component behaviours such as separation anxiety

Question 3

limitation of reductiosim

Answer 3

1. oversimplify complex phenomena
   - leads to reduced validity
   - explanations that operate at the level of the gene do not include analysis of the social context within which behaviour occurs,this is where behaviour may derive its meaning

Question 4

holism

Answer 4

the argument which proposes that it makes sense to study an invisible system rather that its consecutive parts

Question 5

reductionism

Answer 5

belief that human behavoiur id best understood by studying the smaller constituent parts

Question 6

levels of explanations

Answer 6

the idea that there are several levels that can be used to explain behaviour
- the lowest level considers physiological/biological explanations
- middle level considers psychological explanations and the highest level considers social and cultural explanations

Question 7

biological reductionism

Answer 7

• a form of reductionism which attempts to explain behaviour at the lowest biological level

Question 8

environmental reductionism

Answer 8

• attempt to explain all behavior in terms of stimulus response links that have been learned through experiences

Question 9

what are the levels of explanations in relation to OCD

Answer 9

• sociocultural level - OCD interrupts social relationships
• psychological level - washing hands
• environmental/behavioural level - learning experiences
• physiological level - abnormal functioning in the frontal lobes
• neurochemical level - underproduction of serotonin