Reductionism vs Holism

Question 1

R vs H
Biological

Answer 1

Biological Reductionism
- the biological approach reduces behaviour to biological structures, processes and ignores the whole

Question 2

R vs H
Behaviourist

Answer 2

Environmental Reductionism
- reduces behaviour to simple stimulus- response associations

Question 3

R vs H
SLT

Answer 3

shares elements of both the behaviourist and cognitive approach

Question 4

R vs H
Cognitive

Answer 4

Experimental Reductionism
- studies cognitive processes in isolation, reducing behaviour and processes into isolated variables for testing

Question 5

R vs H
Psychodynamic

Answer 5

Both
- suggests behaviour is reduced to innate drives, however the approach also takes into account all aspects of human behaviour

Question 6

R vs H
Humanistic

Answer 6

Holism
- rejects scientific methods of investigation and focuses on understanding all aspects of human experience and interaction

Question 7

AO3- RvsH
Holism

Answer 7

(+) There are some aspects of social behaviour that only emerge within a group context and cannot be understood at the level of the individual group members

(-) Vague and unscientific
Speculative
Considering too many factors makes it become difficult to establish which one to use and which is most influential

Question 8

AO3- RvsH
Reductionism

Answer 8

(+) Forms the basis of scientific research
Makes it possible to conduct experiments or record observations in a way that is meaningful and reliable
Gives greater credibility

(-) Accused of oversimplifying complex phenomena leading a loss of validity
Doesn’t consider social factors for example