Reductionism in the explanation of behaviour Flashcards
How to structure a paragraph on reductionism?
Define any key term
Procedural details/ theory details/ method details
Why is it good for psych
Why is it bad for psych
Judgement- link back to debate- is Psychology reductionist?
What is reductionism?
The best way to understand a complex system is to break it down, analyse the individual parts, then put it back together
The whole is the sum of the individual parts
More ‘simplistic’
What is Holism?
The best way to understand a complex system is to take a wider perspective, considering how the different aspects of the system interact with each other
The whole is MORE THAN the sum of the individual parts (there is something special, something extra, that can be deduced when the individual parts are considered together)
More ‘complex
Arguments for reductionism
- Simplicity
It is easier to understand a complex concept when the individual parts are considered separately
Eg memory is very complicated! By considering short term memory & long term memory separately, we are more likely to understand memory as a whole - Easy to study
By testing individual variables in a laboratory setting, psychologists can be more sure of exactly what causes what (IV DV) so research is more valid (true)
Eg Baddeley’s study – manipulating the acoustic or semantic similarity of the words affected memory - Holistic explanations are hard to test scientifically, so it is hard to know how accurate theyare. Creating treatments for disorders also becomes much more difficult, as no one cause ofthe disorder can beidentified.
- Reductionism is helpful to use as it lends itself to scientific testing, leading to theories andpredictions which can be falsified, increasing the credibility ofPsychology
Arguments against reductionism
- Ignores interactions
Arguably over simplistic as this approach only considers isolated aspects, not how they interact with each other
In doing so, this approach misses the ‘essence’ or complexity of how the aspects affect one another
Eg biological explanation for aggression = brain structure/function + hormones. But does not consider how an abusive childhood could influence the development of the brain, or how social relationships with gang members could influence behaviour - Overlooks human complexities
Highly controlled laboratory experiments do not consider the interaction of variables, and as human experience is so complex, the results are likely to be invalid (not true)
Animal studies are used by learning & bio approaches, because individual variables can be controlled – but these results cannot capture the human experience because humans are more complex than animals - Holistic explanations provide a more realistic account of human behaviour, for example in social situations such as conformity to roles.
- Reductionism oversimplifies complex behaviours and disorders, meaning that many levels of explanation may be lost. Just focusing on the levels of neurotransmitters in a person’s brain overlooks possible environmental causes such as negative home environments, for example.
What is reductionist/ holistic about Watson and Rayner?
Reductionist methodology
Reductionist conclusion
Looks at CC which reducedlearning of reflexive responsessaying they come from astimulus in the environment
Removed focus on brainfunctioning and doesn’tconsider, SLT or OC.
What is a benefit of Watson and Rayner?
Isolates elements to study them scientifically
What is a limitation of Watson and Rayner?
Fails to look at the big picture
What is reductionist/ holistic about Rosenhan?
Reductionist methodology combined to form holistic conclusions
Reduced the complexity of SZto hearing words like ‘thud’,where there are othersymptoms too and issuesaround social functioning.
But was enoughto get a SZdiagnosis so it does seem tosuit real life diagnosis of SZ,making it more holistic.
What are some benefits of Rosenhan?
% eye contact
Reached a holistic conclusion
Pvt and state hospitals
Applications – DSM/ICD; hospitals
What are some limitations of Rosenhan?
Fails to consider other metal illnesses, culture etc
What is reductionist/ holistic about Sherif?
Reductionist methodology combined to form holistic conclusions
Reduced prejudice to be aboutcompetition and the reductionof prejudice to be aboutsuperordinate goals
Field experiment means it isless reductionist than a labexperiment.
What are the benefits of Sherif?
Isolates elements to study them scientifically (e.g. different stages of conflict etc, experiments etc.
Applications – jigsaw
What are some limiations of Sherif?
Fails to consider the effects of culture, personality age
What is reductionist/ holistic about Baddeley?
Reductionist methodology -Lab experiment with clearcontrols which suggests areductionist approach
Reductionist conclusion
Reduced memory to thelearning of 10 lists andrecalling them in order.
What benefits are there in Baddeley?
Isolates elements to study them scientifically
Practically practical app of revision
What are the limitations of Baddeley?
Fails to consider…age (affects coding
What is reductionist/ holistic about Raine?
Reductionist methodology -PET scans are reductionist asslices through the brain aretaken at the time it is studied,not all processing and not Inreal lifesituations.
Holistic conclusion-The murderers were surely ina social situation at the timeof the incident.
Reduced violent behaviour tobrain functioning anddysfunctioningrather thantaking into account otherfactors such as theenvironment.
What are the benefits of Raine?
Isolates elements to study them scientifically but suggests the need to consider the issue holistically
What limitations of Raine?
Only looking at small sample size
Fails to consider aggressive non-criminals?
