Reductionism VS Holism

• (AO1) What is the debate about?

  The debate dabbles in the fact that if concepts should be reduced to simple components, or if Psychology should take a more holistic approach to be effective at explaining behaviour?
• (AO1) Define holism

  Originally creates by Gestalt, holism refers to the idea that human behaviour should be viewed as a whole integrated experience, and not as separate parts. E.g. diathesis stress model in SZ- biological predisposition & environmental stressors.
• (AO1) Define reductionism + examples x3

  The explaining/studying complex & meaningful behaviours/experiences by breaking them down into smaller component parts.

  
  

  Biological - refers to the way that biological psychologists try to reduce behaviour to a physical and physiological level, and explaining it in terms of genes, neurons, neurotransmitters, hormones, brain structure etc. E.g. OCD is a polygenetic disorder, get symptoms because of the SERT gene.

  
  

  Environmental - (also known as stimulus-response reductionism) is supported by Behaviourists, who assume that all behaviour can be reduced to the simple building blocks of S-R associations, learned through experience. E.g. Pavlov & Skinner

  
  

  Machine reductionism - explaining behaviour in terms of mechanistic models. E.g. models of memory, referring to the human mind as a computer.
• (AO1) Discuss levels of explanation

  • In order to effectively consider this, levels of explanation should be explored.
  • This refers to the fact that all behaviour can be explained by different levels.
  • Basic unit levels to more complex holistic levels.
  • This will vary in accordance to how reductionist the explanation is.
• (AO1) Agression example

  Can be considered at (high) socio-cultural level, individual in environment (with friends/family/broader society) where its valued, seen to earn respect and establish dominance.

  
  

  At (mid) psychological level, individual developed cognitive schemas, biasing their interpretation of situations involving agression. Could lead to an agressive response when faced with challenging situation.

  
  

  Within a (low) biological level, agression apart of evolution, could be the result of brain, neurochemicals, and genetics. Enhance survival and reproductive success.
• (AO3) Strength - reductionism

  Point: Reductionism has clear benefits in psychological research.

  
  

  Evidence: The approach fits well in psychology's drive for scientific status, focusing on objectivity & empiricism. It allows for clearly defined variables that can be operationalised and observed objectively.

  
  

  Evaluate: Possibly to establish cause and effect relationships, strengthening the scientific credibility of psychology.
• (AO3) Strength - Bio approach

  Point: The biological approach is an example of reductionism in psychology.

  
  

  Evidence: It explains behaviour by reducing it to biological factors like: genes and brain structure.

  
  

  Evaluate: Important, allows for scientific study including experiments & treatments, supporting psychology's status as a science.
• (AO3) Limitation reductionism - loss of meaning

  Point: Reductionism can lead to a loss of meaning.

  
  

  Evidence: Breaking behaviour into components does not reflect the whole experience. This contrasts with holism, which values human experience as a whole by considering meaning, feeling, personal experience and context.

  
  

  Evaluate: Only by studying the whole, ppl can truly understand the human experience, which makes holism important in areas like therapy & understanding complex behaviours.