ID: Holism Vs Reductionism

Question 1

Define reductionism

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Define holism

Answer 2

Argument that behaviour should be viewed as a whole system

Question 3

What is the view of Gestalt psychologists?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Those who advocate holism are drawn to what?

Answer 4

Higher levels of explanation

Question 5

Humanistic psychologists views?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

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

Answer 6

-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

Question 7

Define levels of explanation

Answer 7

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

Question 8

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

Answer 8

-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)

Question 9

Give another aspect of reductionism ( model )

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Define biological reductionism

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Environmental reductionism

Answer 11

-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

Question 12

Limitation of taking a holistic approach

Answer 12

-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

Question 13

strength of reductionist approach

Answer 13

-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

Question 14

Counter of of previous point

Answer 14

Reductionism = oversimplified

Question 15

Lim of reductionist app

Answer 15

-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

Question 16

Lim of holistic

Answer 16

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