holism vs reductionism

• AO1 : what is reductionism? + methods

  • reductionism is the theory of describing behavoir using its basic, constituent parts, or the simplest explanation
  • it is based on the scientifc principle of 'parsimony' - that all phenomena should be explained using the simplest principles
  • it is associated with scientific methods such as lab experiments, where factors that may be explain a behaivour can be tested under controlled conditions
• AO2: linking reducitonism to theories of memory

  • Aktinson and shiffin's Multi-Store-Model can be seen as reductionist as it describes our memory as a series of component memory stores with specific functions
  • research using experiments that investigates how memory works can also be seen as redcutionist as experiments tend to focus on individual memory stores without considering other factos that could also explain memory
• AO3 strengths : reductionism

  • by reducing complex behaivour into basic parts, it means we can be more certain that one thing causes another - e.g. if we explain the creation of long-term memories as being a result of rehearsal, we can test for the effect on memory to see if, when it is prevented it prevents the creation of new long-term memories
  • methods assiociated with a reductionis approach (controlled experiments) allow for objective research and reliable results. This scientific approach gives the subject of Psychology a greater credibility
• AO3 WEAKNESSES: reductionism

  reductionism can result iin explanations that are overly simplistic and lack validity, as we could ignore other causes of that behaivour - e.g. explaingin long-term memories as being a result of rehersal ignores that many ppl have very odl memories of significant events in theur lives,e.g when they were when hearing shocking news, that the have never rehearsed
• AO1: what is holism? + its factors + methods

  • holism is the theory of trying to understand the whole behaivour, as an 'indivisble system', rather than its constitiuent parts
  • it considers the fact that many different factors work together to cause a behaivour, and therefore dividing up these factors is not usefu
  • holisitic psychologists tend to use qualitative methods, e.g. interviews or observastions, to gain a greater insight into the causes of behaivour and try to understand the whole person
• A02: linking holism to theories of memory

  Bartlett's theory of reconstructive memory can be seen as a holistic aproach to memory.

  he used qualitative analysis to explore memory by undertstanding how each individiual's schema influenced their recall of stories and pictures.

  he spent considerable time establishing the character and backgrounds of his participants in order to understand how their schemas were formed
• A03: strengths of holisitc apporach

  a strength of holism is that, by trying to understand tyhe whole person and the bigger picture, it avoids the problem of ignoring important influences on behaivour
• AO3: weaknesses of holistic aproach

  • in practice, holism can be difficult to achieve cus understanding the whole individual means investigating lots of variables at the same time
  • the qual methods involved in holism are not considered objective or reliable, so holistic explanations may not contribute to scientific credibility
  • if we devise holistic explanations of behaivour that state there are many factos that contribute, then it can be hard to know which is the most influential factor, and thus which should be prioritised when deciding on a treatment - holistic explanations may therefore lack practical applications