Question 1: Define 'holism' in psychology and explain how it differs from reductionism.

Answer: Holism is an approach that considers the whole person or system, focusing on all aspects and how they interact. Reductionism breaks down complex behaviors into smaller parts, explaining them by examining individual components.

Question 2: Give an example of a psychological study or scenario that uses a holistic approach.

Answer: A study examining the effects of culture, family, and social environment on adolescent mental health, considering all these factors together.

Question 3: Give an example of a psychological explanation that is reductionist.

Answer: Explaining depression solely as a chemical imbalance in the brain, such as low serotonin levels.

Question 4: Describe a situation where a reductionist approach might oversimplify a psychological issue.

Answer: When explaining anxiety only in terms of a specific brain chemicals, ignoring environmental stressors or personal experiences that contribute to the condition.

Question 5: Why might some psychologists argue that holism provides a more complete understanding of human behaviour than reductionism?

Answer: Because holism considers multiple factors and the interactions between them, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of behaviour, whereas reductionism may miss important context and complexity.

Question 6: Describe a scenario where a holistic approach would be preferred over a reductionist one.

Answer: In treating a person with depression, considering their social relationships, lifestyle, and personal history, not just medication or brain chemistry.

Question 7: Draw a diagram to illustrate the difference between holism and reductionism. Label the key features.

Answer: A correct diagram might show two side-by-side illustrations: one with a large circle labeled 'Holism' containing smaller interconnected circles representing various factors (biological, social, psychological), and another with a series of separate boxes labeled 'Reductionism' with arrows pointing to a single cause or explanation.

Question 8: Sketch a diagram that explains how reductionism might analyze a complex human behaviour, such as eating habits. Include key components.

Answer: A sketch showing the behaviour (eating habits) broken down into components like brain activity, hormones, and food preferences, with arrows leading from each component to the behaviour, illustrating a cause-and-effect chain.

Question 9: What are some limitations of a reductionist approach in psychology?

Answer: It may oversimplify complex behaviours, ignore environmental or social influences, and fail to account for the interaction of multiple factors affecting behaviour.

Question 10: What are some limitations of a holistic approach in psychology?

Answer: It can be difficult to test scientifically because it involves many variables, and it may lack precision or clear cause-and-effect relationships.