Issues & Debates - Reductionism/Holism Flashcards
reductionism types, levels, holism, examples, implications & consequences
Reductionism
Behaviour explained by breaking it down into simpler components
Biological reductionism
Reduced to physiology & biological structures (i.e. genetics, hormones)
Environmental reductionism
Reduced to stimulus-response
Parsimony
Belief complex behaviours should always be explained in its simplest parts
Holism
Consider the whole individual as they’re too complex to break down
Levels of explanation (reductionism)
- Starts at more basic fundamental levels & moves up to more complex, holistic, multi-variable levels
1) Biological (smallest)
2) Psychological -> cognitive, behavioural & environmental
3) Social & cultural -> influence of social groups
Examples - biological level
- Most of biopsychology
- Biological approach
- Biological/genetic/neural explanations (OCD/Schz/Forensics)
Examples - psychological level (env)
- Attachment (cupboard love theory)
- Two-process model phobias
- Behaviourism (SLT & conditioning)
Examples - psychological level (other)
- Depression (negative triad)
- Schizophrenia (dysfunctional thinking, meta-representation, central control dysfunction)
- Cognitive approach
Examples - sociocultural level
- Conformity
- Attachment (Van Ijzendoorn)
- Schizophrenia (family dysfunction)
Examples - holism
- Humanism - Maslow’s hierarchy
- Psychodynamic - unconscious processes, parental upbringing & innate drives
Implications of reductionism (+)
+ Objectively measured (manageable variables if broken down means empirical & scientific methods can be used -> increased validity)
+ Practical application (can create better treatments if only considering one aspect i.e. effective drug treatments)
Consequences of reductionism (-)
- Oversimplification (lose sight of the behaviour within context -> weakens validity)
Implications of holism (+)
+ Comprehensive insight (true explanation to behaviour)
Consequences of holism (-)
- Harder to create treatments (the more complex, the harder to target therapy for individuals)
- Unable to objectively test (unable to measure holistic concepts due to too much complexity)
