Holism & Reductionism

• Explain what is meant by reductionism (2m).

  Belief that human behaviour is best explained by breaking it down into smaller constituent parts. It is based on the scientific principle of parsimony: that all phenomena should be explained using the most basic (lowest level) principles.
• Explain what is meant by holism (2m)

  The idea behaviour and experience can only be understood by analysing the person or behaviour as a whole. Any attempt to break up behaviour and experience is seen as inappropriate.
• Outline what is meant by 'levels of explanation' (3m)

  Refers to the different ways of viewing the same behaviour with some explanations being more reductionist than others. The reductionist approach suggests explanations begin at the highest level and progressively look at component elements. The highest level comprises cultural and social explanations of how our social groups affect behaviour, middle level relates to psychological explanations of behaviour, lower relates to biological explanations of how hormones & genetics affect behaviour.
• Give one example of biological reductionism from an area of psychology than you have studied (3m).

  In psychopathology, the biological approach to explaining (COMT & SERT genes) and treating (drug therapy) OCD can be seen as biologically reductionist as it is disregarding other treatments used to treat mental disorders such as CBT or systematic desensitisation.
• Give on example of environmental reductionism from an area of psychology that you have studied (3m).

  In psychopathology, the learning approach to explaining (two-process model) and treating (systematic desensitisation, flooding) phobias is environmentally reductionist as it does not include any biological reasonings.
• Explain one strength for a reductionist approach in psychology (2m)

  Focusing on the elements enables greater testability, which underpins the scientific approach as empirical work can be conducted on an explanation if there are fewer factors to consider. In order to create operationalised variables it is necessary to break target behaviours down into constituent parts, making it possible to conduct experiments.
• Explain one limitation for a reductionist approach in psychology (2m)

  It is simplistic and overlooks the complex interaction of many factors. Reducing mental illness to the biological level overlooks how biological and environmental factors might interact. In the case of mental illness this could lead to a reoccurrence of the issue (relapse) as all the factors have not been considered if the focus is purely on a chemical imbalance in the brain, treated through drug therapy.
• Explain one strength and one limitation of a holistic approach in psychology (4m)


  One strength is that it provides a more complete and global understanding of behaviour than reductionist explanations. One limitation is that they are do not tend to lend themselves to rigorous scientific testing, making it harder to predict behaviour, unlike the reductionist explanations.
• Discuss biological reductionism(4m)

  Based on the premise that we are biological organisms made up of physiological structures and processes. All behaviour can be explained through neurochemical, neurophysiological, evolutionary & genetic influences. An advantage of biological reductionism is that it has led to the development of biological therapies such as drugs, however the explanations that operate at the levels of the gene, neurotransmitter or neuron do not include an analysis of the social context within which behaviour occurs.
• Discuss environmental reductionism (4m)

  The attempt to explain all behaviour in terms of stimulus-response links that have been learned through experience. An advantage of environmental reductionism is that it can be useful in allowing scientific study to be carried out- variables can be isolated, making it possible to identify the causes of behaviour (Little Albert). A disadvantage is its simplicity. Arguably, the explanations are inadequate for describing the complexities of human behaviour.