holism vs reductionism

Question 1

what is the debate

Answer 1

-concerned with the level at which it is appropriate to explain human behaviour

Question 2

holism

Answer 2

-view that human behaviour can only be understood by analysing the person or the behaviour as a whole rather than its consistent parts

Question 3

reductionism

Answer 3

-analysing behaviour by breaking it down into more simple components as complex behaviour is best understood in terms of a simpler level of explanation

Question 4

biological reductionism

Answer 4

-biological psychologists reduce behaviour to a physical level and explain it in terms of neurons, neurontransmitters, hormones, brain structure etc.
-example, explanations of psychological disorders are often biolgically reductionist, as genes and neuronchemical imbalanances are offered as a main cause

Question 5

example of biological reductionism

Answer 5

-meta-analysis of 14 twin studies of OCD found that monozygotic twins were more then twice as likely to develop OCD in comparison to dizygotic twins if their co-twins had the disorders

Question 6

limitation-holism approach may lack practical value

Answer 6

holistic explanations of human behaviour tend to become hard to use as they become more complex. this can present researchers wi to a practical dilemma. if we accept from a humanistic perspective , that there are many different factors that contribute to depression then it becomes difficult to know which is most influential. this is a limitation because it suggests that when it comes to finding solutions for real world problems lower level explanations may be more applicable

Question 7

strength-scientific credibility

Answer 7

a reductionist approach often forms the basis of a scientific approach. in order to create operationalised variables it is necessary to break target behaviours down into consistent parts. this makes it possible to conduct or record observations in a way that is meaningful and reliable. this is a strength because it gives psychology greater credibility, placing it on equal terms with the natural sciences lower down in the reductionist hierarchy

Question 8

strength-interactionist approach for both holism and reductionism

Answer 8

interaction is mid the context of holism and reductionism considers how different levels of explanation combine and interact. for example, the diathesis strew model has been used to explain the onset of mental disorders e.g. schizophrenia and depression. such disorders are seen to come about as the result of predisposition (often genetic) which is triggered by some stressor(often an experience) this is a strength because this model has led to a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to treatment, for example combining drugs and family therapy

Question 9

limitation-some behaviours can only be understood at a higher level

Answer 9

there are aspects of social behaviour that only emerge within a group context and cannot be understood in terms of individual group members. For example, the effects of conformity to social roles in the prisoners and guards in the Stanford prison effect could not be understood by studying the participants as individuals. It was the interactions between people and the behaviour of the group that was important. This is a limitation as it suggest that for some behaviours higher levels of explanation for even holistic ones are needed for a more complete and global understanding of behaviour in comparison to reductionist approaches