Applicability ↔️ Complex systems ||| Simple systems
Holism emphasizes the entire system rather than individual components.
In understanding depression, a reductionist approach might focus on neurotransmitter levels, while a holistic approach considers social, environmental, and cognitive factors.
Holism contrasts with reductionism, which seeks to understand complex phenomena by reducing them to simpler parts
What is the primary focus of holism?
Whole system
Arrange the following steps in understanding complex phenomena using reductionism:
1️⃣ Identify the phenomenon
2️⃣ Break it down into simpler components
3️⃣ Understand each component individually
4️⃣ Assume understanding individual parts explains the whole
Biological reductionism explains behavior through biological processes like genes and neurotransmitters
What is an example of a biological reductionist explanation for depression?
Low serotonin levels
Environmental reductionism attributes phobias to past traumatic experiences.
A holistic understanding of depression involves examining biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors
What does holism emphasize in psychology?
The entire system
Holism focuses on individual components rather than the entire system
False
Holism considers the role of context
What factors might a holistic approach consider when understanding depression?
Biological, psychological, social
What are the strengths of reductionism in psychology?
Testability, practical applications
Reductionism allows for controlled experiments with quantifiable data
Reductionism neglects contextual factors in explanations
How does reductionism explain complex psychological phenomena?
Breaks them into components
Holism emphasizes the whole system and its interactions
Holism focuses on understanding complex phenomena by considering individual components.
False
What is the focus of holism in psychology?
The whole system
Contrast reductionism and holism in terms of their focus.
Reductionism: individual components; Holism: entire system
Reductionism explains complex phenomena by breaking them into simpler components
What is biological reductionism?
Explains behavior through biology
Holism emphasizes the importance of context in understanding behavior
Reductionism simplifies complex ideas, making them easier to understand
What is a weakness of reductionism in psychology?
Oversimplification
What is a strength of holism in psychology?
Comprehensive understanding
Holism can be challenging to understand due to its complexity
Match the approach with its focus in psychology:
Reductionism ↔️ Individual components
Holism ↔️ Entire system
What is the core assumption of reductionism in psychology?
Understanding parts leads to whole
Holism emphasizes understanding complex phenomena by considering the entire system
Holism focuses on individual components, while reductionism considers the whole system.
False
Holism explains complex phenomena through interactions between components, while reductionism breaks them down into simpler
Holism considers context, while reductionism ignores it.
What example is used to illustrate the difference between holism and reductionism in understanding depression?