Reductionism vs Holism Flashcards
Define ‘reductionism’
The idea of ‘reducing’ a complex phenomenon into simpler componenets
Define ‘holism’
Studying the whole of something due to the specific parts not being enough of an explanation.
Define the hypothetico-deductive model (Popper)
Science is formulating a theory + drawing suggestions from it about the world, making a testable hypothesis. New knowledge is then added to the theory/ theory’s adapted/rejected. Testing involves gathering empirical data
Cognitive psych (mem models-reductionist)
(lab exps- reductionist)
Mem models:
MSM reduces memory into 3 stores: sensory store, STM, and LTM
WMM reduces STM into 4 separate stores: central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, episodic buffer
Tulving’s theory separates the types of memories into 2: semantic, episodic
Lab exps:
operationalise memory into variables of recalling word lists (e.g. Baddeley 1966)
They operationalise memory into variables of recalling digits in order (e.g. Sebastian and Hernandez-Gil 2012)
Measuring memory is often quantitative (e.g. number of words recalled correctly)
Cognitive psych
(schemas-holistic)
(case studies)
Schemas:
Bartlett’s theory looked at how are experiences (schemas) shape our memory
He does this through looking at memory as a whole in how the schema changes it instead of breaking it down
Case studies:
Case studies view the individual’s memory as a whole
Research is based on experiences in their life instead of one specific factor
Uses many different types of methods to assess providing both quantitative and qualitative data
Cognitive psych (Baddeley (1966b)
Reductionist
Operationalised memory into a list of 10 words that were semantically and acoustically similar and dissimilar
The number of words recalled indicated how good memory was
The number of acoustic and semantic words recalled in different trials indicated the encoding of the STM and LTM
Social psych (obedience studies-reductionist)
(Obedience theories-reductionist)
Obedience studies:
Milgram (1963) operationalised obedience as a voltage for giving people electric shocks that would increase in power
Milgram’s variations that tested situational factors individually such as a run down office block, the number of people conforming, etc
Obedience theories:
Agency Theory reduces obedience down to being in the agentic state as a result of obeying authority
Social Impact Theory reduces factors affecting obedience down to 3 things: number, proximity, and power
Authoritarianism reduces obedience down to having a specific personality involved with certain traits: hostility towards minority groups and obsession with ranks
Locus of control reduces obedience down to having a personality which makes you more likely to obey being an external locus of control
Social psych (Prej studies-reductionist)
(Prej theories-reductionist)
Prejudice studies:
Sherif (1954) operationalised prejudice as attitudes towards an out-group being hostile
Sherif (1954) also reduced the conditions for prejudice to arise being down to competition for resources
Reicher and Haslam (2006) reduced conditions for prejudice down to the inequality of power between two groups
Prejudice theories:
Realistic Conflict Theory reduces the conditions for prejudice down to competition for resources and also reduces the solution to superordinate goals
Social Identity Theory reduces the rise of prejudice down to 3 stages: social categorisation, social identification, social comparison
Social Identity Theory also reduces reason for identifying with a group down to sharing characteristics
Contact Hypothesis reduces the solution for prejudice down to increasing contact between two groups
Authoritarianism reduces the reason for prejudice down to having a specific personality involved with certain traits: hostility towards minority groups and obsession with ranks
Social Psych (Sherif 1954)
Reductionist
Reduced reason for prejudice as competition
Operationalised prejudice as hostility towards out-groups with friendship levels
Reduced the hostility down to verbal and physical aggression
Only considered situational factors affecting obedience
Reduced solution to complexity of prejudice down to superordinate goals
Bio psych (Aggression theories- reductionist)
(BSTs-reductionist)
Aggression theories:
Evolution reduces aggression down to biological causes of having a gene that aided innate survival
Brain structure reduces aggression down to abnormality in the brain causes by damage to certain places such as the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for self-control and so someone is more likely to be impulsive if its damaged
Neurotransmitters reduce aggression down to an imbalance of dopamine and serotonin in which increased dopamine and low levels of serotonin causes aggression
Hormones reduce aggression down to an imbalance of testosterone and cortisol in which higher levels of testosterone causes aggression with cortisol being responsible for regulation of stress
BSTs:
It reduces aggression to certain areas of the brain
Scanning only focuses on activity in certain areas of the brain and doesn’t account for how different areas interact
The research into Phineas Gage’s behaviour focused on the prefrontal cortex only
Bio psych (Evolution- holistic)
(Case studies)
Brain sructure- R
P
Bio psych (Raine 1997)
Reductionist
PET scans = R, only measure glucose metabolism & processing at that particular time so doesnt reflect real life processing so not representative of brain structure in NGRI influencing aggr compared to controls
Reduced violent behav down to brain structure in NGRIs v non-NGRIs-ignored social factors leading to aggr
LT - Theories (reductionist)
CC
OC
RM
^^ Reduct
Clinical
SZ & AN bio theories= reductionist
Soc theories for both= holistic
