Holism and reductionism - AO1

Question 1

What is reductionism?

Answer 1

The belief that behaviour is best explained by looking at each part of a system one by one, as opposed to the system (individual) as a whole.
It suggests behaviour should be explained by breaking it down into smaller, constituent parts.
It is based on the principle of parsimony

Question 2

What is parsimony?

Answer 2

The idea that complex phenomena should explained in the simplest terms possible

Question 3

What is biological reductionism?

Answer 3

A form of reductionism which attempts to explain behaviour
at the lowest level, in terms of the actions of genes, hormones, etc.

Question 4

What is an example of biological reductionism?

Answer 4

OCD can be reduced to the level of neurotransmitter (serotonin) activity

Question 5

What is environmental reductionism?

Answer 5

A form of reductionism which attempts to explain all behaviours in terms of stimulus-response links that have been learnt through experience

Question 6

What is an example of environemental reductionism?

Answer 6

Attachment reduced to learnt S-R associations between a caregiver (NS) and food (UCS), resulting in the learnt response of
pleasure (CR)

Question 7

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What is machine reductionism?

Answer 7

A form of reductionism which views organisms like humans as machine-like entities, likening the brain to a computer

Question 8

What is an example of machine reductionism?

Answer 8

Classic studies reduce memory to simple inputs (word list) and outputs (no. of words recalled) without considering more complex factors (emotions, etc.)

Question 9

What are the levels of explanation?

Answer 9

Reductionist approach suggests that behaviour can be explained at different levels.

• Socio cultural level
• Psychological level
• Physical level
• Environmental/behavioural level
• Physiological level
• Neurochemical level