Reductionism vs Holism

Question 1

Reductionism

Answer 1

Theory that all coplex systems can be completely understood in terms of their components

Breaking down complex issues into simpler parts

Question 2

Holism

Answer 2

Theory that the parts of any whole cannot exist in their relation to the whole

All factors are considered
complex

Question 3

R- evaluation

Answer 3

Advantages:
* By breaking down an issue to its smaller parts we can undertsand the whole and analyse it in depth
* Scientific - allows researchers to test impact of a single factor on behaviour
* Highly controlled - more replicable

Disadvantages:
* Too simplistic- ignore other complexities of human behaviour & experience. Because behaviour has many causes, being simplistic can limit our understanding
* Highly controlled- lacks ecolog. validity

Question 4

H- evaluation

Answer 4

Advantages:
* Provides a complete picture
* Individual is seen as an entity to be considered in its own right
Disadvantages:
* Doesn’t involve scientific inquiry or empirical testing- as it’s subjective & don’t involve scientific testing with controlled IVs
* tends to neglect importance of biological explanations e.g. genes
* Each factor may not be fully detailed as there are too many to consider

Question 5

Link to cognitive area

Answer 5

Holism: it looks at how different factors influence cognitive ability e.g. Simon and Chabris suggest that cognitive load, and size and colour of the unexpected event impacted P’s experience of change blindness.

Reductionist: it reduces explanations for behaviour down to inputs, stores and outputs. But behaviour is more complex than this e.g. memory is not only impacted by the context as suggested by Grant, it also impacted by the level of difficulty of the material, time taken to learn it etc.