Holism

• Holism is an approach that focuses on the whole system rather than its individual features; it acknowledges that systems work as a unified whole (the whole is greater than the sum of its parts)
• Gestalt Psychology

  Focus on perception, arguing that we see 'patterns' rather than individual components, this became the basis for Holism

  Therefore, visual perception is an example of holism
• Humanistic psychology

  The idea of looking at the 'whole experience' became popular with humanistic psychology

  Carl Roger's focused on people as individuals, epitomised by his 'client-centred' therapy
• Strength - Provides greater insight into understanding human behaviour

  Through looking into the bigger picture, and 'experience' of behaviour
• Strength - Treatment using combination therapy (interactionist approach) is most effective

  Positive impact on economy and patients lives
• Weakness - Holistic research is difficult since science is based on relationships between variables

  can't do science without operationalisation, any findings are not generalisable if we treat people as unique individuals

  Lack of replicability
• Weakness - Practical and economic issues

  How do we work our what the right combination of treatments is for an individual

  How feasible is it to provide patients with several therapies each?