I&D5. Holism and Reductionism

Question 1

Holism

Answer 1

• ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’
• instead of perceiving individual features and the relationship between them

Question 2

Reductionism

Answer 2

• breaks complex phenomena into simple components
• phenomena better understood in terms of simpler levels of explanation
• e.g. depression = low levels of serotonin in the brain

Question 3

Levels of Explanation

Answer 3

• different ways of viewing the same phenomena
• physiological, psychological, biological, physical, sociology-cultural
• lower-level explanations replace higher level ones in hierarchy
• hierarchy: Sociology, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Question 4

Highest Level

Answer 4

• cultural/social explanations for behaviour
• depression = withdrawal from social activities, low energy levels and insomnia

Question 5

Middle Level

Answer 5

• psychological explanations
• depression = Beck’s Cognitive Theory + Ellis’ ABC Model

Question 6

Lower Level

Answer 6

• biological
• depression = candidate genes (5HT1-D) and abnormal brain function

Question 7

Biological Reductionism

Answer 7

• reducing behaviour to biology, on the premise we are biological organisms
• depression = low levels of serotonin in synaptic gaps between neurones

Question 8

Environmental Reductionism

Answer 8

• behaviour = stimulus + response
• phobias obtained and maintained through conditioning (classical and operant)
• e.g. Little Albert

Question 9

+ Eval: HOL: more complete picture

Answer 9

• some behaviour can only be explained at holistic level
• e.g. conformity of Zimbardo’s prisoners and guards
• interactions between and within groups

Question 10

• Eval: HOL: more hypothetical, less empirical

Answer 10

• used by humanistic approach
• may oversimplify complex phenomena
• humanism viewed as set of loosely-joined abstract concepts
• holism less suited to more complex behaviours

Question 11

+ Eval: RED: Scientific Rigour

Answer 11

• consistent with aims of science (predict + control, behaviour)
• lab experiments measuring specific behaviour allow for cause + effect relationships
• raises scientific credibility of psychology

Question 12

+ Eval: RED: Assist in Drug Therapy Development

Answer 12

• reductionist approach to mental disorders has resulted in drug therapies
• e.g. SSRI’s for depression (as serotonin deficiency causes depression)
• reduces need for institutionalisation, sufferers can continue day-to-day lives

Question 13

• Eval: RED: Ignores Complexity of Behaviour

Answer 13

• lose validity as it ignores social context of behaviour, which often gives behaviour its meaning
• e.g. reductionism considers speaking as equal across all scenarios, and would not take into account the tone of speech (calm or aggressive) or its aim
• oversimplification leads to inaccuracy