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All 12 Flashcards — Biological reductionism
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Question
What is reductionism?
Answer
Explaining something complex by breaking it down into simpler parts.
Question
What is biological reductionism?
Answer
Explaining behaviour using its simplest biological parts — brain areas, chemicals and genes.
Question
What is holism?
Answer
Explaining behaviour by looking at the whole person and their situation, including thoughts, environment and culture.
Question
Give an example of a reductionist explanation of low mood.
Answer
Explaining it only by low activity of a neurotransmitter and treating it with a medicine.
Question
One strength of a reductionist approach?
Answer
It is precise and testable — a small biological question can be measured, which has led to real treatments.
Question
One limitation of a reductionist approach?
Answer
It can oversimplify by ignoring thoughts, environment and culture, so one cause rarely explains a whole behaviour.
Question
Which concept does reductionism most link to?
Answer
Perspective — it is one way of looking at behaviour, raising whether a single perspective is ever enough.
Question
Why can reductionism be called deterministic?
Answer
Because it can treat behaviour as fixed by biology, reducing the sense of choice.
Question
Why is a smaller question a strength of reductionism?
Answer
A smaller, biological question is easier to measure and test than a big, messy one.
Question
Reductionism vs holism — one line each.
Answer
Reductionism: explain by the simplest parts. Holism: explain by the whole person and situation.
Question
Is a reductionist explanation 'wrong'?
Answer
Not wrong — useful and precise, but often incomplete on its own.
Question
When is reductionism most useful?
Answer
When combined with a more holistic view, so precision and the bigger picture work together.
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Full study notes for Biological reductionism
Topic 2.1 hub
Biological approach
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Psychology exam skills
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