Reductionism vs holism Flashcards
AO1: What is this debate about?
The holism and reductionism debate focuses on an important question in the philosophy of science: can complex behaviours be reduced to their simpler components?
AO1: What is reductionism (include parsimony)
Reductionism is the theory that complex phenomena can be explained by simpler or smaller parts, and therefore can be reduced to their simplest form. This concept is frequently used in scientific research as it allows for parsimony, or the idea of using the most straightforward explanation possible.
AO1: all about biological redcutionism, with example
Biological reductionism reduces all behaviours, no matter how complex, to the actions of neurons, neurotransmitters, hormones, etc. For example, biological psychologists argue that OCD is caused by the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
AO1: all about environmental reductionism
Environmental reductionism insists that behaviour is nothing more than a series of stimulus-response links. A good example of environmental reductionism comes from the behavioural explanation of phobias, which argue that phobias are initiated through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning.
AO1: All about experimental reducionism
Experimental reductionism refers to the practice of breaking down complex psychological phenomena into simpler components and studying them in controlled laboratory experiments. This approach attempts to identify the underlying mechanisms of complex behaviours and cognitive processes. An example of experimental reductionism in psychology is the use of animal studies to understand basic mechanisms of learning and memory. For instance, classical conditioning experiments conducted by Ivan Pavlov on dogs
What are the 2 AO3s for reductionism?
AO3 - scientific (+) isolated variables, blood flow, tenable
AO3 - too simplistic (-), complexity, schizophrenia, explanatory power
AO3 - scientific (+) isolated variables, blood flow, tenable
P: A possible advantage of using a reductionism as a method of understand human behaviour is that it aligns with the origins of psychology.
E: For instance, reductionists psychologists utilise scientific and empirical methods such as laboratory experiments to break things down into smaller components with the use of isolated variables (experimental reductionism), such as genetics and blood flow in brain regions.
E: This is important as, through using a controlled manner, psychologists can efficiently establish a cause and effect relationship when understanding complex human behaviour.
L: Thus, reductionist methods of research can be considered highly tenable.
AO3 - too simplistic (-), complexity, schizophrenia, explanatory power
P: A limitation of the reductionist approach is that it fails to consider the complexity of behaviour
E: For example, if schizophrenia is explained in terms of neurotransmitters, then social and environmental factors that may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia are overlooked
E: This is problematic because human behaviour is too complex to be explained through parsimony. A reductionist approach leads to the complex interplay between factors that influence behaviour being ignored. As a result, the simplicity of the approach could mean patients suffering from mental disorders like schizophrenia may be only treated for one aspect contributing to its cause rather than other factors like environmental factors.
L: Therefore, this may mean that a reductionist approach lacks explanatory power in explaining complex human behaviour
AO1: where does the term holism originate from
Greek hollo, human behaviour integrated experience no separate parts
AO1: Gestalt famous saying, and gestalt psychology
Gestalt psychology applies holistic approach as a whole
Gestalt ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’.
AO1: humanistic psychology with holism
Humanistic psych argue humans react to stimuli as an organised whole, rather than stimulus-response links
AO1: holism is qualitative as well as people __________
Qualitative as well as people interactions
AO1: holism is the theory that.. (intimate interconnection, whole)
It is the theory that parts of a whole are an intimate interconnection, such that they cannot be understood without reference to the whole
What are the 2 AO3s for holism
AO3 – qualitative (+) - Zimbardo 1973, interview and controlles, unique context
AO3 - subjective (-) biological PET snas, less emp evidence, asumptions, researcher bias
AO3 – qualitative (+) - Zimbardo 1973, interview and controlles, unique context
P : A strength of the holistic approach is that research gathers qualitative data.
E : For instance, studies into conformity, such as Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment (1973), which used interviews and controlled observation, require us to analyse the whole system on a holistic level, rather than on an individual basis.
E : This is advantageous because when studying social behaviours, qualitative methods allow for researchers to yield rich, insightful data, which is necessary to understand the human experience. This means that psychologists can study behaviour within their unique context.
L : Therefore, holistic methods may be more useful than reductionist ones, as they allow psychologists to understand behaviours and the interconnectedness between multiple components of a social network.
