Holism vs reductionism

Question 1

Behaviourism

Answer 1

Highly reductionist

• Breaks behaviour into stimulus-response units so they can be scientifically tested

Question 2

Social learning theory

Answer 2

Reductionist:

• Also considers interaction of cognitive factors
• Still does not consider biological factors

Question 3

Cognitive approach

Answer 3

Machine reductionism:

• Reducing humans to informational processing systems, ignoring the possibility of emotions

Question 4

Biological Approach

Answer 4

Highly reductionist:

• Breaks behaviour down into the lowest level of explanation (genes, nuerones, hormones), ignoring other factor

Question 5

Psychodynamic Approach

Answer 5

Holism

• Considers the dynamic interaction of factors and how they impact each individual
• Despite biological drives and instincts

Question 6

Humanistic

Answer 6

Holism

• Looks at all aspects of an individual, including how they interact with others/wider society