Holism and reductionism Ideographic and nomothetic Ethical implications
The holistic approach looks at a system as a whole and Ideographic suggests that psychology should study individuals Concerns consequences that psychological research may have.
sees any attempt to subdivide behaviour as inappropriate. because by obtaining detailed info we can understand human some areas may have greater social sensitivity than others.
Humanistic psychology focuses on the individual’s behaviour better. Often case studies, qualitative. Focus on E.g., research into depression may have individual
experience. Humanistic psychologists use qualitative particular facet of human behaviour. Associated with consequences, wider social group consequences and social
methods to investigate the self whereby themes are humanistic and psychodynamic approaches. policy. all stages of planning and conducting are important
analysed rather than breaking down concepts. Nomothetic suggests that psychology should study large and when thinking of social sensitivity. Sieber and Stanley warn of
Reductionism seeks to analyse behaviour by breaking it varied groups to make generalisation of what is typical in the way research questions are phrased and investigated may
down into constituent parts. It is based on the scientific different aspect of behaviour. Closer links to traditional models influence interpretation. E.g., research into relationships guilty
principle of parsimony – that all phenomena should be of scientific method. Hypotheses formulated, samples of heterosexual bias. Researchers should consider in advance
explained using the simplest principles. Psychology itself assessed, and numerical data analysed. Behaviourist and how research findings may be used as it may impact how the
can be placed in a hierarchy of science. Biological biological approach. data is collected. Especially important because findings may be
reductionism attempts to explain behaviour at the lowest Nomothetic often objective – laws of behaviour are possible if seen as giving scientific credence to existing prejudices. Media
biological level. Environmental reductionism is the methods are delivered in a standardised way. Ideographic tends to be most interested in sensitive information.
attempt to explain all behaviour in terms of stimulus- tends to believe that objectivity is not possible. - Benefits for group being studied. 1952 DSM-1 listed
response links learned through experience. - Ideographic contributes to nomothetic. Qualitative homosexuality as a sociopathic personality disorder
- Lack practicality. Holistic accounts complex. E.g. methods shed light on general laws. Supporters of but removed in 1973 following Kinsey report based on
multiple factors that contribute depression ideographic approach acknowledge the narrow and interviews of 5000 men that reported homosexuality a
difficult to prioritise treatment. restricted nature of work. ,methods often least typical human sexual behaviour. Can have negative
- Reductionism forms scientific approach. Variables scientific and rely on subjective interpretation. consequences. Research investigating genetic basis of
operationalised. Can conduct experiments or - Both fit with aims of science. Nomothetic processes criminality found there is a criminal gene. Does this
record observations. Objective and reliable. similar to those used in natural sciences. Modern mean someone could be convicted on the basis that
- Reductionism oversimplifies complex qualitative researchers are careful to reflect on own they have such gene or should they be excused as it
phenomena, reducing validity. biases as part of research. cannot be helped?
- Often aspects of behaviour cannot be reduced - Nomothetic approach leads to loss of understanding of - Govts.look to research when developing policies.
and may only emerge in group context. E.g. the individual. Preoccupied with general laws. preferable to base policies on scientific research.
effects of conformity in Stanford Prison Understanding subjective experience of individuals - Poor research design may lead to erroneous findings
experiment – all observed for valid account. may prove useful when regarding treatment. which have continuous impact. Burt’s research into
- A reductionist account would argue we are - Two approaches are distinct. Each is appropriate for 11+ exposed of fraud but continued to be used.
thinking machines – cognitive approach. different research aims. There is also a sense in which Enduring effects.
However, neuroscientist struggle to explain the two approaches are just two ends of a continuum. - American psychological association reported that
subjective experience for the same neural ethical committees approved 95% of non-sensitive
process. Explanatory gap in brain science may proposals but only approved 50% of sensitive
suggest that thinking is beyond what happens in proposals.
brain.
The holistic approach looks at a system as a whole and Ideographic suggests that psychology should study individuals Concerns consequences that psychological research may have.
sees any attempt to subdivide behaviour as inappropriate. because by obtaining detailed info we can understand human some areas may have greater social sensitivity than others.
Humanistic psychology focuses on the individual’s behaviour better. Often case studies, qualitative. Focus on E.g., research into depression may have individual
experience. Humanistic psychologists use qualitative particular facet of human behaviour. Associated with consequences, wider social group consequences and social
methods to investigate the self whereby themes are humanistic and psychodynamic approaches. policy. all stages of planning and conducting are important
analysed rather than breaking down concepts. Nomothetic suggests that psychology should study large and when thinking of social sensitivity. Sieber and Stanley warn of
Reductionism seeks to analyse behaviour by breaking it varied groups to make generalisation of what is typical in the way research questions are phrased and investigated may
down into constituent parts. It is based on the scientific different aspect of behaviour. Closer links to traditional models influence interpretation. E.g., research into relationships guilty
principle of parsimony – that all phenomena should be of scientific method. Hypotheses formulated, samples of heterosexual bias. Researchers should consider in advance
explained using the simplest principles. Psychology itself assessed, and numerical data analysed. Behaviourist and how research findings may be used as it may impact how the
can be placed in a hierarchy of science. Biological biological approach. data is collected. Especially important because findings may be
reductionism attempts to explain behaviour at the lowest Nomothetic often objective – laws of behaviour are possible if seen as giving scientific credence to existing prejudices. Media
biological level. Environmental reductionism is the methods are delivered in a standardised way. Ideographic tends to be most interested in sensitive information.
attempt to explain all behaviour in terms of stimulus- tends to believe that objectivity is not possible. - Benefits for group being studied. 1952 DSM-1 listed
response links learned through experience. - Ideographic contributes to nomothetic. Qualitative homosexuality as a sociopathic personality disorder
- Lack practicality. Holistic accounts complex. E.g. methods shed light on general laws. Supporters of but removed in 1973 following Kinsey report based on
multiple factors that contribute depression ideographic approach acknowledge the narrow and interviews of 5000 men that reported homosexuality a
difficult to prioritise treatment. restricted nature of work. ,methods often least typical human sexual behaviour. Can have negative
- Reductionism forms scientific approach. Variables scientific and rely on subjective interpretation. consequences. Research investigating genetic basis of
operationalised. Can conduct experiments or - Both fit with aims of science. Nomothetic processes criminality found there is a criminal gene. Does this
record observations. Objective and reliable. similar to those used in natural sciences. Modern mean someone could be convicted on the basis that
- Reductionism oversimplifies complex qualitative researchers are careful to reflect on own they have such gene or should they be excused as it
phenomena, reducing validity. biases as part of research. cannot be helped?
- Often aspects of behaviour cannot be reduced - Nomothetic approach leads to loss of understanding of - Govts.look to research when developing policies.
and may only emerge in group context. E.g. the individual. Preoccupied with general laws. preferable to base policies on scientific research.
effects of conformity in Stanford Prison Understanding subjective experience of individuals - Poor research design may lead to erroneous findings
experiment – all observed for valid account. may prove useful when regarding treatment. which have continuous impact. Burt’s research into
- A reductionist account would argue we are - Two approaches are distinct. Each is appropriate for 11+ exposed of fraud but continued to be used.
thinking machines – cognitive approach. different research aims. There is also a sense in which Enduring effects.
However, neuroscientist struggle to explain the two approaches are just two ends of a continuum. - American psychological association reported that
subjective experience for the same neural ethical committees approved 95% of non-sensitive
process. Explanatory gap in brain science may proposals but only approved 50% of sensitive
suggest that thinking is beyond what happens in proposals.
brain.
