holism v reductionism Flashcards
holism-reductionism debate
holism
-attempting to understand human behaviour by analysing the person/behaviour as a WHOLE rather than its constituent parts
- typically uses qualitative methods
reductionism
- analyses behaviour by BREAKING IT DOWN into its constituent parts
- based around the scientific principle of parsimony
- all behaviour should be explained by using the most basic principles
- typically uses quantitative methods
key ideas of holism vs reductionism
levels of explanations
biological reductionism
environmental reductionism
levels of explanations
- there are several ways to explain behaviour
lowest level : biological explanations
middle level : psychological explanations
highest level : social and cultural explanations - lowest levels are the most reductionist
biological reductionism
- includes the biological level
- explains behaviour through genetic, neurological or neurochemical causes, as well as evoluton
- the idea that all behaviour is due to genetic, neurological or neurochemical causes
environmental reductionism
- all behaviour is learned (behavioural approach)
- behaviour can be explained through stimulus-response links (conditioning)
evaluation of holism v reductionism
scientific
practicality
simplistic
scientific : EVALUATION OF HOLISM VS REDUCTIONISM
- reductionism approaches lends itself to scientific validation
- researchers can easily establish a cause and effect by examining operationalised variables from one level of explanation
practicality : EVALUATION OF HOLISM VS REDUCTIONISM
- there are many factors affecting a person’s behaviour
- it is difficult to establish what therapy might be best sited to an individual
- lacks practical value
simplistic : EVALUATION OF HOLISM VS REDUCTIONISM
- examining behaviour in a reductionist manner can be too simplistic for more complex behaviours
- does not recognise that behaviour an be due to a combination of factors and not just one simple explanation
