Holism & Reductionism

Question 1

Holism

Answer 1

Idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, so it only makes sense to study the whole person, and all of the possible influences on them, in Psychology. Humanistic psychologists support this perspective.

Question 2

Reductionism

Answer 2

Idea that it is possible to understand behaviour by breaking it down into its smaller components, using the lowest possible ‘level of explanation’.

Question 3

Biological Reductionism

Answer 3

Biological structures and processes can, ultimately, be the explanation for all behaviours.

EG: certain symptoms of schizophrenia are due to an excess of dopamine levels in a certain part of the brain.

Question 4

Environmental Reductionism

Answer 4

Simple stimulus-response learning can explain behaviour.

This is supported by behaviourists and was demonstrated in experiments such as Pavlov’s dogs.

Question 5

Evaluation

Answer 5

Holistic explanations provide a more realistic account of human behaviour, for example in social situations such as conformity to roles.

Holistic explanations are hard to test scientifically, so it is hard to know how accurate they are. Creating treatments for disorders also becomes much more difficult, as no one cause of the disorder can be identified.

Reductionism is helpful to use as it lends itself to scientific testing, leading to theories and predictions which can be falsified, increasing the credibility of Psychology

Reductionism oversimplifies complex behaviours and disorders, meaning that many levels of explanation may be lost. Just focusing on the levels of neurotransmitters in a person’s brain overlooks possible environmental causes such as negative home environments, for example.