✓ Holism vs. Reductionism (AO1)

Question 1

What is holism?

Answer 1

the idea that human behaviour only makes sense when studying a whole system rather than its constituent parts

(“the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” - gestalt psychology)

it uses more qualitative methods
e.g. the humanistic approach

Question 2

What are the 5 levels of explanation?

Answer 2

(most holistic)

SOCIOCULTURAL level - behaviour influenced by people around you

PSYCHOLOGICAL level - the cognition behind behaviour

PHYSICAL level - physical movements involved in behaviour

PHYSIOLOGICAL level - activity within the brain & body

NEUROCHEMICAL level - effects of NTs & hormones

(most reductionist)

Question 3

What is reductionism?

Answer 3

the idea that human behaviour is best explained by breaking it down into smaller constituent parts

it explains behaviour using the lowest levels of explanation

Question 4

What is biological reductionism?

Answer 4

• the idea that we are biological organisms so all behaviour is at some point biological
• explains behaviours through neurochemistry, evolutionary & genetic influences
• occurs at the physiological/neurochemical level

e.g. the biological approach - low levels of serotonin = OCD

Question 5

What is environmental reductionism?

Answer 5

• the idea that environment shapes our behaviour
• breaks complex learning up into stimulus-response links
• occurs at a physical level = not concerned with cognition occurring at the psychological level

e.g. the behaviourist approach