PSYCHOLOGY@CFGS

HOLISM AND REDUCTIONISM

Holism vs Reductionism

Holism and Reductionism AfL Questions

L2 Evaluation

Holism and Reductionism

Answers - worksheet_Part31.pdf (edit)

exploring reductionism.pdf

reductionsim exam practice.pdf

Issues & Debates: Reductionism & Levels of ExplanationReductionism is the belief that human behaviour can be explained by breaking it down into simpler component parts. Those who take a reductionist position believe that the best way to understand behaviour is to look closely at the parts that make up our systems, and then use the simplest explanations to understand how they work. Reductionism is based on the scientific assumption of parsimony: the idea that complex phenomena should be explained in the simplest terms possible. Parsimony is similar to the idea of Occam’s Razor, which was established by William of Ockham in the 14th century. Like parsimony, this theory states that one should not make unnecessary assumptions and that the answer to a problem is often the simplest. The reductionist approach suggests that there are different levels of explanation. The lowest level considers physiological (biological) explanations, where behaviour is explained in terms of neurochemicals, genes and brain structure; the middle level considers psychological explanations (e.g. cognitive and behavioural) and the highest level considers social and cultural explanations, where behaviour is explained in terms of the influence of social groups. Any behaviour can be explained using these levels, and this idea is best illustrated with an example.

Issues & Debates: Evaluating the Holism and Reductionism DebateScientists (including psychologists) are drawn to reductionist explanations as a method of research.

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