Edexcel Psychology for A Level Yr 2 Revision Guide

Reductionism ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts’. Where cake is concerned, she’s inclined to agree. Reductionism is the view that human behaviour is best explained by breaking it down into smaller constituent parts.The ‘whole’ is explained in terms of the separate units. Holism is the view that it only makes sense to study an indivisible system rather than its constituent parts. The debate: reductionism versus holism Examples of reductionism Biological psychology explains emotion/behaviour in terms of: • Brain regions (e.g. limbic system for aggression). • Cells (neurons) or chemicals (neurotransmitters). • Genes controlling production and/or function of cells or chemicals (genetic reductionism). Cognitive psychology explains emotion/behaviour in terms of: • Information processors (e.g. multi-store model), machine reductionism. Examples of holism Social learning theory considers the influence of models in the environment and the cognitive features of the individual. Multi-store model (three ‘levels’ of memory) is more holistic than the working memory model (just short-term memory). Arguments for reductionism Simplicity • Individual units are simpler so more readily understood and explained than the ‘whole’. • By studying each ‘unit’ (e.g. memory store), psychologists isolate functions that work independently (e.g. STM and LTM) and the biological structures involved (e.g. hippocampus ). Easy to study • When units are isolated (e.g. in lab studies) the whole can be better understood (many factors do not act at once). e.g. to explain working memory, control visuo-spatial information to identify influential factors. Arguments against reductionism Ignores interactions • A ‘whole’ explained in terms of its units will be perceived as a simple arrangement of those components, ignoring interactions between components. e.g. biological explanation of aggression ignores interactions with social factors which moderate responses. e.g. the visuo-spatial sketchpad and phonological loop are independent, but less is known about how they interact. Overlooks complexities • Isolating variables (as in controlled lab experiments) is hard because human systems are complex. • Controlled research produces theories that cannot explain complex interactions. e.g. simpler behavioural systems in animals than humans, but simplicity means not representative of humans (no interaction between cognitive and social factors). Check it 1. Assess whether social psychology is reductionist. (8) 2. Evaluate how reductionism has benefited our understanding of either memory or prejudice. (12) 3. Some people say biological and cognitive explanations for human behaviour are reductionist. To what extent would you consider this statement to be true? (20) On each spread in the other chapters in this book there are more ‘Check it’ questions where we have included further practice questions on issues and debates. 25