Issues and debates for paper 1 and 3

Question 1

what is reductionism and holism

Answer 1

• reductionism - simplifying behaviour into its smallest components - based on principle of parsimony
• holism focuses on the whole rather than the sum of parts, considering different factors

Question 2

reductionism and cognitive

Answer 2

• baddeley - word lists not memory
• MSM - only 1 store STM
• MSM looks at all 3 stores unlike any other theory
• combining all memory theories we have a pretty comprehensive approach to memory

Question 3

reductionism and social

Answer 3

• sherif; only boys, summer camp is only one aspect of society, narrow sample
• milgram - obedience is whether they shock someone or not
• sherif looked at all 3 stages of prejudice
• SIT - how we categorise, prejudice etc - whole process so holistic

Question 4

reductionism and biological

Answer 4

• Raine et al - only one type of murderer, one scan , only brain damage cause
• hormones - only one aspect ignores other bio processes
• raine aknowledged influence of environment
• freud - unconscious, triad, eros/thanatos, coping mechanisms

Question 5

Reductionism and learning theories

Answer 5

• watson and rayner - only one baby - developmentally normal?
• classical conditioning only looks at reflexive actions
• SLT looks at role models, effects of reinforcement,
• watson and rayner tested time, place and transferences of fear - holistic

Question 6

reductionism and clinical

Answer 6

• rosenhan - how DSM can be invalid - ICD/ other systems?
• biological treatments - not a cure, simply reducing the symptoms
• psychoanalysis cures/treats past trauma rather than symptoms
• rosenhan looked at whole process of hospitalisation and being released

Question 7

reductionism and criminal

Answer 7

• XYY sole reason - 1 extra chromonsome
• AMPS - aggressive behaviour is caused by faulty cognition - not trauma/ biology
• But AMPs look at thought patterns, how to improve skills and assertiveness training,
• eyesenk - both environment and biology cause criminality when combined

Question 8

why is reductionism good/ bad
why is holism good/bad

Answer 8

• R = more scientific, gives info in greater detail, but lack validity, incomplete explanation
• H = interaction between explanations is reflective of reality, allows the effect of extraneous variables, can cause research to lose focus if too many factors, hard to make any conclusions as too many factors

Question 9

nature nurture and cognitive

Answer 9

• MSM existence of all 3 stores in every mind
• MSM brain damage can affect memory so nurture
• reconstructive