Holism & Reductionism

Question 1

Define holism

Answer 1

Belief in analysising a person or behaviour as a whole, indivisible system

Question 2

Define reductionism

Answer 2

Belief that humans behaviour is best explained when broken down in smaller, constituent parts

Question 3

Describe biological reductionism

Answer 3

Attempts to explain social and psychological phenomena at a lower biological level –> explained throufh neurochemical, evolutionary and genetic influences

Question 4

Describe environmental reductionism

Answer 4

Attempts to break down complex behaviour into simpler, stimulus-response links which are learnt through experience –> focused at physical level, not concerned with cognitive processes

Question 5

What are the different levels of explanation for reductionism?

Answer 5

Higher levels - social and cultural explanation –> more holistic
Middle levels - psychological levels
Lower level- biological explanations –> more reductionist

Question 6

Outline strengths of holism

Answer 6

Individual experience considered; more aligned with true lived experience, improving external validity
Leads to most effective treatment —> interaction it’s approach of combining drugs + psychological therapies —> suggest behaviour is + complex

Question 7

Give weaknesses of holism

Answer 7

Cannot establish cause + effect —> cannot create general laws so hard to explain true cause of behaviour

Question 8

Give strengths of reductionism

Answer 8

Establishes cause + effect —> has led to drug treatment
More scientific approach —> quantitative variables, can carry out highly controlled experiments = more objective

Question 9

Give weaknesses of reductionism

Answer 9

Oversimplifying behaviour —> doesn’t take into account complexity of human behaviour, doesn’t align with true human experience by focusing on just one factor