Reductionism - strengths and weaknesses - Advantages and disadvantages table in A Level and IB Psychology


	Reductionism - strengths and weaknesses
	Advantages A reducctionist approach often forms the basis of scientific research. In order to create operationalised variables it is necessary to conduct experiments or record observations (behavioural categories) in a way that is meaningful and reliable. Also, behaviourist approach was able to demonstrate how complex learning could be broken down to simple stimulus-response links within the lab. This gives psychology greater credibility, placing it on equal terms with naturalsciences lower down in reductionist hierarchy.	Disadvantages Reductionism has been accused of oversimplifying complex phenomena leading to loss of validity. For example psychological processes involved in pointing ones finger will be the same regardless of context. However, an analysis of these will not tell us WHY the finger was pointed - therefore, reductionist explanation can only ever form part of an explanation.
	Evaluation

A reducctionist approach often forms the basis of scientific research. In order to create operationalised variables it is necessary to conduct experiments or record observations (behavioural categories) in a way that is meaningful and reliable. Also, behaviourist approach was able to demonstrate how complex learning could be broken down to simple stimulus-response links within the lab. This gives psychology greater credibility, placing it on equal terms with naturalsciences lower down in reductionist hierarchy.

Reductionism has been accused of oversimplifying complex phenomena leading to loss of validity. For example psychological processes involved in pointing ones finger will be the same regardless of context. However, an analysis of these will not tell us WHY the finger was pointed - therefore, reductionist explanation can only ever form part of an explanation.

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