Issues + Debate (AO1)

Question 1

What does Holism argue?

Answer 1

It is inappropriate to reduce behaviour down into smaller, constituent parts. It can only be understood as a whole process.

Question 2

What phrase summarises Holism?

Answer 2

‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts’

Question 3

What does Reductionism argue?

Answer 3

Human behaviour is best explained by being broken down or reduced to smaller parts.

Based on the scientific principle of parsimony: all phenomena should be explained using the most basic level.

Question 4

What are the ‘levels of explanation’?

What is the general trend?

Answer 4

Ways in which we can explain psychological phenomena:

• Socio-Cultural
• Psychological
• Physical
• Physiological
• Neurochemical
• Lower = more specific

Question 5

Apply the ‘levels of explanation’ to OCD

Answer 5

• Socio-Cultural: Obsessive behaviour which we see as abnormal; spending excessive amount of time on hand-washing
• Psychological: Experiencing obsessive thoughts
• Physical: The excessive hand-washing as a sequence of hand movements
• Physiological: Hypersensitivity of the basil ganglia
• Neurochemical: Underproduction of serotonin

Question 6

Finish the phrase: ‘Researchers who favour reductionist approaches will ultimately aim…’

Answer 6

Researchers who favour reductionist approaches will ultimately aim to reduce the explanation to lowest possible levels. Replacing psych. level

Question 7

Finish the phrase: ‘Holistic researchers often look at…’

Answer 7

Holistic researchers often look at the higher, more general levels and then attempt to incorporate the lower levels within an explanation of said phenomena

Question 8

What is biological reductionism?

Answer 8

• We are biological organisms with physiological processes and structures, whose behaviour is the result of physiological changes. Therefore, behaviour should be viewed as a biological process.
• Stance of the biological approach/explanations

Question 9

What is environmental reductionism?

Answer 9

• Breaks complex behaviour procedures into stimulus-response models which can be easily measured via laboratory experiments
• This means the key level for them is the physical. Such processes that are mental (and have emphasis in Cognitive) are irrelevant