Holism and Reductionism -A-Level Psycholog
Holism and Reductionism
Holism– an argument or theory which proposes that it only makes sense to study an indivisible system rather than its constituent parts.Behaviour can only be understood by analysing the person or behaviour as a whole.E.g humanistic psychologists
Reductionism-the belief that human behaviour is best explained by breaking it down into constituent parts.Simplest,easiest ,most economical level of explanation.
Levels of explanation in psychology:
-suggests that there different ways of viewing the same phenomena in psychology
-social-cultural context
-psychological level
-physical level
-physiological level
-neurochemical level(most reductionist)
-can be seen to be reductionist
Types of reductionism:
Biological reductionism:
-a form of reductionism which attempts to explain social and psychological phenomena at a lower biological level.
- In terms of the action of genes,hormones,evolutionary and genetic influences
Environmental reductionism:
-the attempt to explain all behaviour in terms of stimulus-response links that have been learned through experience.
E.g the behaviourist approach
Evaluation:
The case for holism-there are aspects of social behaviour that only emerge in a group context and can’t be understood through an individual group member.E.g the effects of conformity to social roles and the deindividuation of the prisoners and guards in the stanford prison experiment could not be understood through individual pps.The interaction between people in the group was more informative.This shows that holistic explanations provide a more complete understanding of behaviour rather than reductionist approaches.
The case against holism-don’t really involve scientific testing so can become vague and speculative.E.g humanistic psychology tends to be criticised for its lack of empirical evidence.By combining different perspectives it becomes hard to see which was most influential which makes it harder for the development of therapy.This suggests that when it comes to real world problem solutions lower level explanations may be more important.
The case for reductionism-forms the basis of scientific research.To create operationalised variables it is necessary to break down target behaviors into constituent parts.Increases reliability.Behaviourist approach demonstrated how complex learning could be broken down in a lab.Increases the credibility of psychology by placing lower down the reductionist hierarchy with the natural sciences.
The case against reductionism-oversimplifies complex phenomena leading to a loss of validity.Genetic explanations do not analyse the social context within which the behaviour occurs.
Holism is a perspective in psychology that emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of different aspects of human behavior and the mind. It views individuals as complex systems where various factors, such as cognition, emotion, and culture, interact to shape behavior and mental processes.
Reductionism is a perspective in psychology that seeks to explain complex phenomena by breaking them down into simpler, smaller components. It focuses on studying isolated elements of behavior or mental processes in isolation, with the belief that understanding these smaller components will lead to an understanding of the whole.
The key differences between holism and reductionism include their approach to studying human behavior and the mind. Holism emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of different aspects of behavior, whereas reductionism breaks down behavior into simpler components. Holism considers the context and complexity of human behavior, while reductionism seeks to isolate and study individual components in isolation. Holism recognizes the importance of considering various factors, while reductionism focuses on isolating and studying specific elements.
Examples of holism in psychology include understanding the role of culture, environment, and context in shaping behavior and mental processes. It also involves examining the interaction between different psychological processes, such as cognition, emotion, and motivation, to understand human behavior as a whole. Holism also considers the influence of social and environmental factors on individual behavior, such as studying the impact of family dynamics on cognitive development.
Examples of reductionism in psychology include studying isolated components of behavior, such as studying the specific neural mechanisms underlying memory or investigating the role of a single neurotransmitter in a particular mental process. Reductionism can also involve using animal models to study isolated behaviors or studying specific cognitive processes in isolation, such as perception or attention.
Holism suggests that human behavior is complex and influenced by a multitude of factors, including cognitive, emotional, social, and environmental factors. It emphasizes the need to consider the context and interconnectedness of different psychological processes to gain a comprehensive understanding of human behavior. Holistic approaches can provide a more nuanced understanding of human behavior in real-world situations and facilitate more effective interventions and treatments.
Reductionism suggests that human behavior can be understood by studying isolated components and breaking them down into simpler elements. It focuses on identifying the underlying mechanisms or processes that contribute to behavior. However, reductionism may oversimplify the complexity of human behavior and may not fully capture the intricacies of real-world situations. It is important to consider the limitations of reductionism and use it as a complementary approach in conjunction with other perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding of human behavior.
Holism and reductionism are used in various ways in psychology research. Holistic approaches may involve conducting qualitative research, such as ethnographic studies or case studies, to understand the complexity of human behavior in real-world settings. Reductionist approaches may involve conducting experiments or using neuroimaging techniques to isolate and study specific components of behavior or mental processes. Researchers may also use a combination of holism and reductionism, depending on the research question and the goals of the study.
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