Holism and reductionism evaluations

Question 1

What are good reasons for being reductionist?

Answer 1

Reductionism = The scientific approach
It enables objective testing of specific variables in controlled experiments.
(Establish cause-and-effect relationships).

Examples - Measuring neurotransmitters - studying stimulus responses.

Question 2

What does taking an reductionist and empirical approach achieve?

Answer 2

Improved psychology’s scientific status.

Question 3

How are combined reductionist and empirical tests practical?

Answer 3

Reductionism supports the development and empirical testing of treatments. (Drug therapies)

This can help people manage mental health symptoms by altering neural mechanisms.

Question 4

What are issues with reductionism?

Answer 4

Focuses on only one explanation and ignoring others takes away the validity.

Overly simplistic
Overlooking complex interactions/multiple causes.

oversimplifying something will lead to loss of meaning.
(Lack face validity)

Question 5

What are emergent properties and how does reductionism ignore this?

Answer 5

Reductionism does not account for complex human experience.

Emergent property = Not reducible to any one factor but coming from the interaction of multiple processes.

Question 6

What is an issue with Holism having multiple variables.

Answer 6

Multiple variables can complicate an establishment of cause and effect relationships.

Cannot isolate specific variables for empirical testing.

Unscientific

(Unreliable)

Question 7

How does Holism have practicality?

Answer 7

Development of therapeutic approaches that address multiple aspects of a person’s life.

(Client centered therapy) - Humanistic
It is a more personalised treatment option.

Question 8

Why might Holism fail to go into depth?

Answer 8

Not look into specific elements due focusing to broadly on a whole.

Ignore individual components.

Example - Impact of specific learning experiences on behaviour.

Question 9

Why are Holistic explanations more valid ?

Answer 9

It explores multiple influences/factors

Question 10

What should a researcher consider when conducting research?

Answer 10

Pro’/cons between reductionism/Holism

Find a balance between Reductive-objective-empirical-meaningful methods.