ID: Holism Vs Reductionism Flashcards

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1
Q

Define reductionism

A

Argument that behaviour is best experienced when broken down into smaller and simpler parts. More constituent

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2
Q

Define holism

A

Argument that behaviour should be viewed as a whole system

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3
Q

What is the view of Gestalt psychologists?

A

That we percieve as a whole and should take a holistic approach to perception

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4
Q

Those who advocate holism are drawn to what?

A

Higher levels of explanation

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5
Q

Humanistic psychologists views?

A

-behaviour can only be understood through holistic approach as humans act as a whole
-lack of wholeness can lead to mental disorders

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6
Q

What parts of psych can be viewed as holistic (clue)

A

-cognitive psychology
-memory and that neurons form networks, linked to each other so acts as a whole connection whcug is different to reductionist ways as not in constituent parts

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7
Q

Define levels of explanation

A

Different ways behaviour can be explained through a hierarchy and an reductionist way

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8
Q

What are the levels of explanation?
Where is it more/less reductionist?

A

-socio-cultural (OCD affects relationships)
-psychological level (anxiety experiences)
-environmental/behaviourist level (learning experiences)
-physiological level (abnormal functioning in frontal lobes)
-neurochemical level (production of serotonin)

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9
Q

Give another aspect of reductionism ( model )

A

Diathesis stress model - environmental trauma but caused by a trigger = underlying cause, if broken down then better understanding

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10
Q

Define biological reductionism

A

Neurochemical and physiological phenomena - lower bio levels to do with genes/hormones/evolution
Bio reduction often works backwards - increase of serotonin = effective in treating so OCD cause must be low serotonin

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11
Q

Environmental reductionism

A

-All behaviour is learned and acquired through interactions with environment
-Stim response links reducing behaviour to basic elements
-E.g learning theory of attach reduces idea of love to a learned association

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12
Q

Limitation of taking a holistic approach

A

-lacks practical value
-doesn’t take into account surrounding factors of human behaviour such as influence of environment/genes etc
-depression sufferer may have trauma/genetics/living environment
-hard to help and treat with therapy if unsure which underlying cause it is
-holistic lacks practical value and perhaps should use reductionist app

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13
Q

strength of reductionist approach

A

-takes scientific app
-well controlled research = operationalise variables to be studied and break target behaviours into constsiunt parts
-ss ainswoth operationalised component behaviours attach (sep anxiety)
-gives scientific credibility to red

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14
Q

Counter of of previous point

A

Reductionism = oversimplified

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15
Q

Lim of reductionist app

A

-Some behaviours only understood at higher level
-socio and sociological
-spe = cause of conformity was interaction not individuals as a whole
-no conformity gene
-higher levels of explanation r better or even holistic

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16
Q

Lim of holistic

A

Brain
-red and blue thoughts light up same region
-but different thoughts so reductionist is better