Holism and Reductionism

• What is the main focus of the debate discussed?

  Preference for holism or reductionism
• Which type of psychologists take a holistic approach?

  Humanistic psychologists
• What do behaviorists represent in the debate?

  Reductionist approach
• What does holism focus on in psychology?

  The whole picture rather than individual parts
• What did Gestalt psychologists declare?

  The whole is greater than the individual parts
• What is reductionism in psychology?

  Breaking behavior down into basic parts

  
• What principle is reductionism based on?

  The scientific principle of parsimony
• How does the Reward/Need Satisfaction Theory explain relationships?

  Relationships are formed due to rewards
• Why is the Reward/Need Satisfaction Theory considered reductionist?

  It simplifies relationships to rewards and needs
• What is one reason children may act aggressively?

  Imitating behavior they have seen before
• What is another reason for children's aggression according to the text?

  Genetically beneficial for survival
• What are the different levels of explanation in psychology?

  Sociocultural, psychological, physical, environmental, physiological, neurochemical
• Which level of explanation is the most reductionist?

  Neurochemical level
• What does the socio-cultural level explain in terms of OCD?

  It interrupts social relationships
• What does the psychological level focus on in OCD?

  The person's experience of anxiety
• What does the physical level refer to in OCD?

  Movements, such as washing hands
• What does the environmental/behavioral level examine in OCD?

  Learning experiences
• What does the physiological level refer to in OCD?

  Abnormal functioning in the frontal lobes
• What does the neurochemical level explain in OCD?

  Underproduction of serotonin
• How is psychology placed in the hierarchy of science?

  Between sociology and biology
• What does the levels of explanation theory suggest?

  Different disciplines show different levels of reductionism
• What approach does the Diathesis Stress Model lead to in treatment?

  Holistic approach combining drugs and therapy
• What does the biological approach in reductionism explain?

  Behavior through neurochemical and genetic influences

  
• What do behaviorists focus on in their studies?

  Observable behavior only
• How does environmental (stimulus-response) reductionism explain attachment?

  Love is a learned association between stimuli
• What does holism consider in depression?

  The whole person's experience
• What does reductionism consider in depression?

  Major systems involved like biological and behaviorist

  
• What is one strength of reductionism?

  Its scientific status gives psychology credibility
• What is one limitation of holism?

  It may lack practical value for treatment
• What is one limitation of reductionism?

  Higher level explanations are sometimes needed
• How can social behavior be understood according to the text?

  Only within a group context
• What are the key concepts of the debate between holism and reductionism?

  Holism:

  • Focuses on the whole person
  • Considers multiple factors
  • Investigates interactions between aspects

  
  

  Reductionism:

  • Breaks behavior into basic parts
  • Uses simpler principles for explanation
  • Often focuses on observable behavior
• What do psychologists mean by 'levels of explanation'?

  • Different scientific disciplines show varying levels of reductionism
  • Physics is the most reductionist
  • Sociology is the most holistic
• What are the strengths and limitations of reductionism and holism?

  Strengths of Reductionism:

  • Scientific credibility
  • Objective and reliable research

  
  

  Limitations of Holism:

  • May lack practical value
  • Complexity can hinder treatment
• How does the Diathesis Stress Model approach treatment?

  • Combines biological and environmental factors
  • Leads to a holistic treatment approach