holism vs reductionsim

What is the Holism vs. Reductionism debate about?

Whether psychological phenomena are best understood by studying the whole system (holism) or by breaking it down into simpler parts (reductionism).

Holism

: Understanding behaviour by studying the whole person/system, not just individual parts.
Example: Humanistic psychology.

Reductionism

Explaining behaviour by breaking it into basic components.
Example: Behaviourism – stimulus-response links.

Biological Reductionism

Explains behaviour at a biological level (e.g., genes, hormones).
Example: Dopamine hypothesis for schizophrenia.

Environmental reductionism

Behaviour explained through learned stimulus-response associations.
Example: Pavlov’s dogs (classical conditioning).

Levels of Explanation

• Social/Cultural: Influence of group norms and culture.

• Psychological: Cognitive/behavioural explanations.

• Biological: Genes, neurochemicals, brain structures

What are the three main levels of explanation in psychology?

Social & cultural, psychological, and biological.

Strength of Reductionism

Scientific and testable.
Evidence: Milgram & Bandura used operationalised variables.
Link: Allows for cause-effect conclusions.

Weakness of Reductionism

Oversimplifies complex behaviour.
Evidence: Explaining OCD with serotonin ignores context.
Link: Lacks depth and meaning

Strength of Holism

Explains complex social behaviours.
Evidence: Stanford Prison Experiment – group dynamics.
Link: Provides fuller understanding.

Weakness of Holism

Impractical and vague.
Evidence: Humanistic approach considers all life aspects.
Link: Difficult to know which factor to treat.

Interactionism

Combines different levels of explanation.
Example: Diathesis-stress model (genes + environment) for schizophrenia.

Why is the interactionist approach considered practical and optimistic?

It encourages multi-level understanding and treatment, giving individuals more control over outcomes.

How does Milgram’s study support the reductionist approach

Milgram reduced obedience to a measurable variable (whether participants administered shocks), allowing scientific, objective study.

How does Bandura’s Bobo doll study illustrate reductionism?

isolated aggression as hitting/punching a doll after observing a model, making behaviour observable and measurable.

What is a criticism of biological reductionism using OCD as an example?

t focuses on the SERT gene and low serotonin but ignores environmental or psychological context, oversimplifying the disorder.

Why might a reductionist treatment like SSRIs be considered limited?

They control symptoms but don’t address underlying causes, highlighting the need for more holistic approaches.

How does the Stanford Prison Experiment support holism?

The behaviour of guards/prisoners could only be understood through group dynamics and the social context, not individual traits.

What did Nisbett’s (1993) cross-cultural research reveal about aggression?

Cultural norms influence aggression—e.g., ‘culture of honour’ in the Southern US increases reactive aggression, showing social factors matter.

Why is holism useful for understanding complex behaviours like aggression?

Because it considers the interaction between individuals and group/cultural influences, providing a fuller explanation.

What is a major criticism of holistic approaches like humanistic psychology?

They consider too many variables (life history, relationships, job, etc.), making it hard to identify key factors for treatment.

What is one benefit of using the interactionist approach in treatment?

supports combining therapies, like drug therapy and family therapy, for a more effective and personalised treatment plan.

Why is the interactionist stance seen as more optimistic than biological reductionism

implies that individuals aren’t destined by their biology alone and that change is possible through environmental factors and support.

What is a limitation of biological reductionism in explaining OCD?

ignores environmental and psychological factors.

Why might SSRIs be a limited treatment for OCD?

hey control symptoms but don’t address underlying causes.