Holism & Reductionism Examples

Question 1

Name 3 examples of holism in psychology

Answer 1

1. Humanistic psychology
2. Gestalt psychology - perception
3. Gestalt psychology - insight learning in chimpanzees

Question 2

How does Humanistic approach have holism?

Answer 2

• subjective experiences only understood by considering the whole person
• Person needs to feel a sense of ‘wholeness’ to stay mentally healthy
• Client centred therapy aims to bring together all aspects of person

Question 3

How does Gestalt psychology (perception) have holism?

Answer 3

Psychologists argue that we can only make sense by considering the whole image

Question 4

Define insight learning

Answer 4

When a solution to a problem suddenly comes to us in a flash

Question 5

How does holism explain the insight learning shown in Kohlers chimpanzees?

Answer 5

C were able to find solution when all elements of the problem are understood as a meaningful whole

Question 6

Name the 3 types of reductionism

Answer 6

biological

Environmental

experimental

Question 7

define biological reductionism

Answer 7

reduces social and psychological behaviour to biological units e.g genes

Question 8

define environmental reductionism

Answer 8

reduces complex behaviour to units of stimulus and response e.g behaviourism

Question 9

define experimental reductionism

Answer 9

Reduces complex behaviour to a form or unit that can be studied

Question 10

Name 2 examples of environmental reductionism

Answer 10

1. behaviour able to be modified using reward to strengthen a behaviour
2. Attachment formed though stimulus response links

Question 11

Name 2 examples of biological reductionism

Answer 11

1. Evidence suggests OCD is influenced by brain circuit

2. The MAOA gene is implicated in aggression

Question 12

Name 2 examples of experimental reductionism

Answer 12

1. Assessing memory using word lists