Holism and reductionism

Question 1

Holism

Answer 1

Studies the whole rather than its constituent parts.

Question 2

Reductionism

Answer 2

Behaviour is best explained by breaking it down into its constituent parts.

Question 3

Biological reductionism

Answer 3

Attempts to explain social and psychological phenomena in terms of genetics.

Question 4

Environmental reductionism

Answer 4

Attempt to explain all behaviour in terms of stimulus-responses that have been learned through experience.

Question 5

Reductionist hierarchy

Answer 5

Sociology 
Psychology
Biology
Chemistry (cellular)
Physics (molecular)

Question 6

For holism

Answer 6

Some aspects of behaviours can only be understood in group contexts. For instance , Zimbardo’s study could not be understood by studying the individual as it was the interaction between people that was important.

Question 7

Against holism

Answer 7

Can become vague when more complex.
If we accept that there are many factors that contribute to depression then it becomes difficult to establish which is more important.
Lower level explanations are more appropriate.

Question 8

For reductionism

Answer 8

Records observations in a way that is meaningful and reliable as it is broken down into parts to create operationalised variables. This gives psychology greater credibility.

Question 9

Against reductionism

Answer 9

Oversimplifying, leading to a loss of validity.

Does not include analysis of social context within which behaviour occurs.