Holism vs reductionism- ISSUES AND DEBATES Flashcards
AO1- reductionism
- break down complex phenomena into its constituent parts and analyse it
- very scientific in that the smaller parts make it more testable
Examples of reductionism
BIOLOGICAL= break down behaviour into evolutionary, genetic, hormonal, neurochemical explanations.
ENVIRONMENTAL= complex learning experiences are broken down into simple stimulus-response actions which can be studied in the lab. Not concerned with mental processes, believe they have no influence upon behaviour.
INTROSPECTION= Wundt tried to break down conscious experience into feelings and sensations
AO3- strengths of reductionism
- very scientific and analytical
- easily tested
- by explaining behaviour by its underlying physiological movements but gives psychology the scientific support and credibility of the well-established sciences
- unites with them to provide a more consistent and global picture of the universe
AO3- limitations of reductionism
- its an oversimplification as reductionism often misses complex interactions , the whole may be greater than the sum of its parts
- behaviour is understood by the situation in which it’s in, not just by the underlying physiological movements. Eg a wave, important to understand why and who to they’re waving. ONLY EVER PROVIDES A PARTIAL EXPLANATION.
AO1- holism
- looks at higher level explanations
- can only understand behaviour truly by analysing a person as a whole
- the whole is greater than the sum of its parts
Examples of holism
- humanistic psychology= looks at the conscious experiences of individuals and the effects of interactions with other people
- social psychology= looks at group behaviour as it may show characteristics that are greater than the sum of the individuals which comprise it.
Levels of explanation: OCD example
- there are many levels of explanation for different phenomena in psychology
OCD can be explained by…
Physical level= repetitive actions
Psychological level= experiencing obsessive thoughts
Neuro - chemical level= under production of serotonin
Socio-cultural level= society would regard their actions as irrational and unusual
AO3- strengths of holism
- doesn’t ignore the complexity of the higher levels. eg effect of conformity on social roles, the deindividuaisation of guards and prisoners, group behaviour and interactions important.
- holistic explanations provide a more complete and global understanding of human behaviour than reductionist approaches
AO3- limitations of holism
- the higher the levels of explanation go, the more speculative and divorced from physical reality they get—> lack the predictive validity of reductionism
- they don’t lend themselves to rigorous scientific testing, can be vague and speculative as they become more complex
- often ignore the influence of biology on behaviour
What’s an alternative to reductionism that’s not holism?
INTERACTIONISM
-eg diathesis stress model
- interactionism concerned with how different levels may interact
- this model has led to a more multi-disciplinary and ‘holistic’ approach to treatment eg combination of drugs and family therapy.