Key Terms of Reductionism Vs Holism

Question 1

Holism

Answer 1

Any attempt to break up human behaviour is inappropriate as these can only be understood by analysing the person as a whole.

Question 2

Reductionism

Answer 2

Breaking up complex phenomenon down into more simple components as it is believed human behaviour is best understood by breaking it up.

Question 3

Biological Reductionism

Answer 3

All behaviour can be explained through neurochemical, evolutionary, and genetic influences.

Question 4

Environmental Reductionism

Answer 4

Behaviour can be broken down into simple behaviour and event relationship e.g. stimulus-response links.

Question 5

Levels of Explanations

Answer 5

Explanations of behaviour on the same phenomena that can vary from those at a lower level focusing on basic components (e.g. neurotransmitters) to those at a higher more holistic multivariable level i.e. socio-cultural level that considers social and cultural variables.