holism vs reductionism

Question 1

holism means…

Answer 1

people and behaviour should be studied as a whole system rather than consistent parts. we cannot predict how whole systems behave. it looks at all interactions of all influences.

Question 2

which psychologist claimed the idea of holism?

Answer 2

Gestalt

Question 3

Gestalt theory

Answer 3

“the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”- breaking up behaviour and experiences is inappropriate as they can only be understood by analysing the individual as a whole.

Question 4

what approach links to holism?

Answer 4

the humanistic approach

Question 5

reductionism means…

Answer 5

breaking down complex phenomena into more simple components and is desirable because complex phenomena are best
understood in terms of a simpler level of explanation.

Question 6

what scientific principle is this based on?

Answer 6

parsimony- all phenomena should be explained using the most basic principles.

Question 7

what are the types of reductionism?

Answer 7

biological, environmental and experimental

Question 8

biological reductionism means…

Answer 8

reducing behaviour to a physical level and explain it in terms neurotransmitters, hormones ect. this assumption has been applied to the explanation and treatments of mental illness.

Question 9

environmental reductionism means…

Answer 9

Behaviourist explanations suggest that all behaviour can be
explained in terms of simple stimulus response links i.e. phobias are obtained and maintained using classical and operant conditioning.

Question 10

what is the level of explanation?

Answer 10

it suggests that there are different ways of viewing the same phenomena in psychology

Question 11

what is the highest form of reductionism?

Answer 11

sociological

Question 12

what is the lowest form of reductionism?

Answer 12

physical

Question 13

what are the 5 levels of explanation?

Answer 13

sociological, psychological, biological, chemical and physical

Question 14

A03- holism 1

Answer 14

a strength is that it provides a complete picture. e.g. conformity experiments like Zimbardo’s prison it studied the effects of de-individuation which could not by understood by studying the individuals as it was the interactions between people that mattered. shows holism is needed for full understanding.

Question 15

A03- holism 2

Answer 15

a limitation is that variables are difficult to control and isolate so it doesn’t lend itself easily to a scientific method because to many EV. the cause and effect relationship will be difficult to find.

Question 16

A03- holism 3

Answer 16

a limitation is that it is difficult to investigate the many differing types and levels of explanations. holistic explanations may not lead to the development of effective treatments
for mental health disorders.

Question 17

A03- reductionism 1

Answer 17

a limitation is that it ignores the complexity of behaviour so then leads to a loss of
validity because they ignore the social context where behaviour occurs, which often gives behaviour its meaning. therefore, reductionist
explanations may simplify complex phenomena too much.

Question 18

A03- reductionism 2

Answer 18

a strength is that it has practical application in the development of drug therapy e.g. SSRIs to treat depression, based on the view that a deficiency in serotonin causes depression (BR). sufferers can continue with their day through the use of non-invasive treatment and without hospital visits. therefore has a positive impact on people’s lives.

Question 19

A03- reductionism 3

Answer 19

a strength is that it is consistent with the scientific approach because reduction is consistent with predictability and control of behaviour. the constituent parts of behaviour are easily
measured and manipulated in a lab and so ‘cause and effect’ relationships can be established. so reductionism raises
the scientific credibility of psychology.

Question 20

A03- reductionism 4

Answer 20

a strength is that it can be scientifically tested as broken down into smaller parts. eg research into the genetic basis of mental disorders has enabled researchers to identify specific genes responsible for schizophrenia. this enables behaviour to be identified.

Question 21

examples of reductionism

Answer 21

the multi store model of memory, structuralsim