Holism vs Reductionism in Approaches

Examples of Reductionism in Psychology:

·         Behaviourism assumes that all behaviour can be reduced to simple building blocks of S-R (stimulus- response) and that complex behaviour is a series of S-R chains.

·         Biopsychology - Explanations for the cause of mental illnesses are often reductionist. Genetics, and neurochemical imbalances are frequently highlighted, as being the main cause of these disorders. In the case of schizophrenia for example excess production of the neurotransmitter dopamine is seen as a possible cause.

·         This view clearly has implications for treatment. Gender can also be reduced to biological factors (e.g. hormones). Also, language can be reduced to structures in the brain, e.g. Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area (but holism could state: influence of family, education, social class on language). Another example of biological reductionism is aggression – e.g. testosterone levels.

·         Structuralism – One of the first approaches in psychology. Wundt tried to break conscious experiences down into its constituent (i.e. basic) parts: images, sensations and feelings.

Examples of Holism in Psychology

·         Humanistic psychology investigates all aspects of the individual as well as the interactions between people.

·         Social Psychology looks at the behaviour of individuals in a social context. Group behaviour (e.g. conformity, de-individualization) may show characteristics that are greater than the sum of the individuals which comprise it.

·         Psychoanalysis – Freud adopted an interactionist approach, in that he considered that behaviour was the results of dynamic interaction between id, ego and superego.

·         Abnormal psychology – mental disorders are often explained by…