Reductionism vs Holism Flashcards
strength R (scientific) DW
P: It is possible to break behaviour into smaller constituents parts and scientifically test them.
E: For example, the capacity, coding, duration of STM can be separately tested.
E: This means that the cause of behvaiours can be established more easily making it more empirical so that you can clearly establish a cause and effect which is what science aims for.
I: Taking a reductionist view of human behvaiour therefore allows Psychology to be classed as a science.
strength R (development of biological therapies) DW
P: Biological reductionism has led to the development of biological therapies such as drugs.
E: For example SSRI’s are more effective than placebos when treating symptoms of OCD and reduce symptoms of for up to 3 months after treatment (Soomro et al)
E: The use of SSRI’s in patients with OCD has helped reduce the anxiety associated with OCD hence improving the lives of patients.
I: The relief that can be provided to some patients as a result of biological reductionism means that they are able to continue to work which aids the economy.
limitation H (cant be tested) DW
P: Holism cannot be rigorously tested.
E: Humanism considers individuals as active agents meaning that behaviour cannot be studied with reference to internal or external influences.
E: This means that research cannot be gathered to support theories.
I: Therefore, holistic explanations do not fit the requirements to be classed as scientific as it can’t be tested which means a cause and effect cannot be established, which is what science aims for.
limitation H (hard to apply) DW
P: It is difficult to establish how much each individual factor contributes to any particular behaviour.
E: For example, how much of schizophrenia is caused by an imbalance of dopamine?
E: This means that explanations that look at behaviour from a holistic point of view are unsatisfactory in terms of application.
I: This does not allow us to focus on any treatments for illness if we are to consider behaviour from a holistic point of view
Limitation of R into Strength of H (ignores complexity of behaviour-> blending different levels of explanation) CW
P: Some psychologists argue that biological reductionism can lead to errors of understanding because it ignores the complexity of human behaviour.
E: For example, to explain schizophrenia simply through neuchemical imbalances suggests that the condition can be explained very simply.
E: This is not the case. Schizophrenia is a ver complex disorder, and it could be argued that it needs to be considered at a higher level of explantion, for example at the psychological level.
C: The holistic explanation attempts to overcome this criticism by blending different levels of explanation: holistic theory and approaches therefore attempt to provide a complete and realistic understanding of human behaviour.
