Holism & Reductionism

Question 1

What is holism?

Answer 1

-study a system as a whole

Question 2

What is reductionism?

Answer 2

-study smaller components

Question 3

Levels of explanation

Answer 3

-different ways of viewing the same phenomena
-suggests lower levels will eventually replace higher levels

Question 4

The levels

Answer 4

1. Socio-cultural
2. Psychological
3. Physical
4. Environmental
5. Physiological
6. Neurochemical

Question 5

What are the 2 types of reductionism?

Answer 5

-environmental + biological

Question 6

What is biological reductionism?

Answer 6

-reducing behaviour to it’s lowest biological level
-study evolutionary + genetic influences
-eg. Depression explained biochemically
-often working backwards

Question 7

What is environmental reductionism?

Answer 7

-all behaviour can be explained in terms of simple stimulus response links
-interactions with the environment
-eg. Phobias obtained + maintained using classical + operant conditioning

Question 8

Support of holism - complete picture

Answer 8

-some behaviour can only be understood at holistic level - eg. Conformity
-research into conformity uses holistic explanations
-look at interaction with and between groups
=complete picture of behaviour

Question 9

Negatives of holism - hypothetical

Answer 9

-more hypothetical + not based on empirical evidence
-holistic freq used by humanistic approach
-lack of evidence associated with higher level explanations
-may simplify complex phenomena too far
-may not be suited towards more complex behaviours

Question 10

Positives of reductionism - scientific

Answer 10

-scientific - aims to predict + control behaviour
-reductionism is consistent with aims of science
-smaller parts = easier to measure + manipulate in lab conditions
-cause + effect relationships can be established

Question 11

Positives of reductionism - practical application

Answer 11

-explaining mental disorders - development of drug therapies
-eg. SSRI’s treat depression - reduces the need for institutionalisation
-reductionist approaches have had a positive impact on lives

Question 12

Negatives of reductionism - complexity

Answer 12

-ignores social context where behaviour occurs
-eg. Reductionist - speaking the same across all scenarios - due to having them same biological mechanism
-however it ignores social context of speaking - eg. Voicing an opinion
-may simplify complex phenomena