ID: Holism Vs Reductionism Flashcards
Define reductionism
Argument that behaviour is best experienced when broken down into smaller and simpler parts. More constituent
Define holism
Argument that behaviour should be viewed as a whole system
What is the view of Gestalt psychologists?
That we percieve as a whole and should take a holistic approach to perception
Those who advocate holism are drawn to what?
Higher levels of explanation
Humanistic psychologists views?
-behaviour can only be understood through holistic approach as humans act as a whole
-lack of wholeness can lead to mental disorders
What parts of psych can be viewed as holistic (clue)
-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
Define levels of explanation
Different ways behaviour can be explained through a hierarchy and an reductionist way
What are the levels of explanation?
Where is it more/less reductionist?
-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)
Give another aspect of reductionism ( model )
Diathesis stress model - environmental trauma but caused by a trigger = underlying cause, if broken down then better understanding
Define biological reductionism
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
Environmental reductionism
-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
Limitation of taking a holistic approach
-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
strength of reductionist approach
-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
Counter of of previous point
Reductionism = oversimplified
Lim of reductionist app
-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