holism and reductionism

• What is reductionism?


  Reductionism is the belief that human behaviour can be explained by breaking it down into simpler component parts.
• Those who take a reductionist position believe what?

  That the best way to understand behaviour is to look closely at the parts that make up our systems, and then use the simplest explanations to understand how they work
• The reductionist approach suggests that there are different levels of explanation. What is the lowest level of explanation?

  Physiological (biological) explanations, where behaviour is explained in terms of neurochemicals, genes and brain structure
• The reductionist approach suggests that there are different levels of explanation. What is the middle level of explanation?

  Considers psychological explanations (e.g. cognitive and behavioural)
• The reductionist approach suggests that there are different levels of explanation. What is the highest level of explanation?

  Considers social and cultural explanations, where behaviour is explained in terms of the influence of social groups
• What is biological reductionism?

  Refers to the way that biological psychologists try to reduce behaviour to a physical level and explain it in terms of neurons, neurotransmitters, hormones, brain structure, etc.
• What is environmental reductionism?

  Behaviourists assume that all behaviour can be reduced to the building blocks of S-R associations and that complex behaviours are a series of S-R.
• What is environmental reductionism also known as?

  Stimulus-response reductionism
• What is holism?


  The idea that human behaviour should be viewed as a whole integrated experience, not as separate parts
• Where does the word holism originate from?

  Holism comes from the Greek word 'holos', which means 'all', 'whole' or 'entire
• What is the case for reductionsim?

  It allows researchers to study the factors that influence human behaviour and establish causal relationships.
• Provide an example of the case for reductionism.

  If schizophrenia is caused by elevated levels of dopamine, treatments such as anti-psychotic drugs can be used to decrease levels of dopamine and alleviate the symptoms of schizophrenia.
• What is the case against reductionsim?

  Biological reductionism can lead to errors of understanding because it ignores the complexity of human behaviour.
• Provide an example of the case against reductionism.

  Antipsychotics may reduce these symptoms, but the cause of schizophrenia may be more complex than the reductionist approach suggests.
• What is the case for holism?

  The holistic explanation attempts to blend different levels of explanation; holistic theory and approaches attempt to provide a complete and realistic understanding of human behaviour.
• Provide an example of the case for holism.

  To treat conditions like schizophrenia with drugs and CBT is a more holistic method. Research shows this is more successful and is likelier to be more valid and a more holistic explanation of schizophrenia is also likely to be more valid.
• What is the case against holism?

  Holistic explanations do not establish causation because they do not examine behaviour in terms of operationalised variables that can be manipulated and measured.
• Provide an example of the case against holism.

  If schizophrenia or OCD is explained using a holistic approach that combines multiple levels of explanation then this does not establish a cause and therefore dos not indicate a way forward with regards to treatment.