Issues and debates: reductionism (bio)

Question 1

INTRO

Reductionism

Answer 1

the idea that complex behaviors and mental processes can be explained by breaking them down into simpler, more fundamental components

Question 2

A01 & A03 (is)

Answer 2

A01:
- Biological psychology aims to isolate different reasons for behaviours such as aggression or drug addiction e.g. hormones. High levels of testosterone and low levels of cortison leads to aggressive behaviours
- Brain structures damage to pre-frontal cortex, amygdala + hypothalamus leads to aggressive behvaiour. Drug addication, damages the neurotransmitters affecting the fucntions of the brain

A03:
Raine et al (1997)
- murders have high activity in right hemisphere of thalamus, amygdala and hippocampus compared to control
- murders have lower activity in the lateral and medial prefrontal cortex, corpus callosum and hippocampus compared to control

Question 3

A01 & A03 (isn’t)

Answer 3

A01:
- However, biological psychology can be less reductionist when considering evolutionary perspectives like natural selection, suggesting behaviour develops from complex survival strategies over generations.
- Treatment approaches also show that multiple biological and social factors must be considered together.

A03:
- Although methadone treatment for heroin addiction targets neurotransmitter function, its limited success rates highlight that environmental, psychological, and social support are also critical.
- Life experiences often trigger genetic predispositions, showing that a purely biological explanation isn’t sufficient.

Question 4

judgment