'The whole is greater than the sum of its parts' - certain traits cannot be broken down into its constituent parts but stays as the whole theory
Reductionism
'The whole is equal to the sum of its parts' - traits need to be broken down into parts and explained in parsimony (lowest level of explanation)
Reductionist levels of explanation
Socio-cultural
Psychological
Physical
Environmental
Physiological
Neurochemical
Biological reductionism
Suggests ALL behaviour can be explained through NEUROCHEMICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL,EVOLUTIONARY or GENETIC INFLUENCES
Environmental reductionism
ALL behaviour is acquired through INTERACTIONS with the environment. (Behaviourists STIMULUS-RESPONSE MECHANISM)
Reductionism can only form part of an explanation, as neurochemical explanations do not include analysis of the contexts of behaviour occurring
Holism lacks practical value. Human behaviour becomes harder to explain using the holistic approach, making it difficult to know which behaviour is the most influential and important to treat in a therapist setting
