Holism and reductionism

Question 1

What is parsimony?

Answer 1

There is no need to explain behaviours through complex processes, as explanations should be as simple as possible to be more effective

Question 2

What is the difference between holism and reductionism?

Answer 2

Holism is the idea that to explain behaviour it is necessary to look at many levels of explanation at once, while reductionism focuses on one level of explanation

Question 3

Define intuitive appeal

Answer 3

The explanation makes sense to us

Question 4

Give an example, other than humanism, that is holistic

Answer 4

Cognitive neuroscience: The combination of the biological and cognitive approach to study neurological structures, mechanisms, processes, chemistry etc. that are responsible for cognitive processes

Question 5

What is holism?

Answer 5

Looking at something as a whole, not just aspects of it

Question 6

What is reductionism?

Answer 6

When something complex is reduced/explained in a simplistic manner

Question 7

What are the levels of explanation within psychology from most to least holistic?

Answer 7

Social
Psychological
Biological

Question 8

What is biological reductionism?

Answer 8

In terms of reductionism, biological explanations are the most reductionist because they do not take into account other levels of explanation such as the environment, but it is a more precise and simple explanation as a result

Question 9

What is environmental reductionism?

Answer 9

This simplifies behaviour to a simple stimulus-response action, which is advocated by behaviourists. It is easier to measure and has the advantage of parsimony, but it also can’t explain all behaviour because it can be too simple

Question 10

What within the schizophrenia unit is holistic and reductionist?

Answer 10

The family dysfunction explanation is holistic, and the genetic explanation is reductionist

Question 11

How can reductionism be positively evaluated?

Answer 11

It is very scientific