Neural Mechanisms
Lesson 2
Starter one
• From last lesson
• What should an evaluation include?
• Write on my board
Activity- Neural pub quiz- Group work
1. Create four questions based on homework on
neural mechanisms and a mark scheme
2. Swap your questions with another team
3. Whole class Group whiteboard quiz
4. Any questions?
Issues, Debates, Approaches
• What are they?
• List as many as you can
Issues – Psychological research (theories and studies) raises these
issues
Ethical considerations,
Socially sensitive research,
Use of animals,
Gender bias
Cultural bias
Debates – Psychological research is debated within these constructs
Free will vs determinism
Biological reductionism vs holism
Nature vs Nurture
Psychology as a science
Approaches - Psychologists tend to research from a specific
perspective. Broad categories include:
Biological Psychology
Social Psychology
Behaviourism
Psychodynamic approach
Cognitive Psychology
Evolutionary Psychology
Humanist
Biological Approach
Debate
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
Issues Debates Approaches
Debate : Reductionism Vs. Holism
Psychology A2
What is reductionism?
Reductionism
• Argues that all psychological phenomenon can be reduced to simple
parts.
• Supports deterministic views and claims that behaviour is
predictable as it is determined by one factor.
• Strong supporters of reductionism believe that behaviour and
mental processes should be explained within the framework of basic
sciences (e.g. physiology, chemistry.... ).
• Any explanation of behaviour at its simplest level can be deemed
reductionist.
What other approaches are reductionist?
Strengths
 Allows
you to look in detail at components that effect
behaviour.
Can be used to explain certain types of behaviours
and disorders.
Scientific.
Open to testing.
Limitations
Over simplifies complex behaviours.
Does not take into consideration other factors affecting
behaviour.
Breaks down complex phenomenon into simple
explanations.
So What is Holism?
Holism
• Refers to any approach or study that looks at the
whole picture/ individual rather than breaking it
down into components.
• When studying individuals you would look at the
whole person to gain an understanding about
anything that may impact on their behaviour not
just specific parts.
• Which Psychological approach is holistic?
Strengths
Looks at everything that may impact on
behaviour.
Considers more than one cause.
Allows for a detailed all round analysis.
Limitations?
Limitations
Does not allow for detailed study into one area.
Non- scientific.
Does not explain mental illness.
Over complicates behaviours which may have a simple
explanation/
Reductionism: links to approaches
• Biological approach : Reductionism is
often equated with physiological
reductionism, offering explanations
of behaviour in terms of physiological
mechanisms.
• Evolutionary approach: Reductionist
with regards to its biological
underpinning.
• Behaviourism?
Holism: links to approaches
• Social Psychology- looks at the behaviour of
individuals in a social context. Group behaviour
(e.g. conformity, de-individualisation) may show
characteristics that are greater than the sum of
the individuals which comprise it.
Making your IDA point- Reductionism
“…..Neural Mechanisms is an example of reductionism in Psychology,
there is evidence that lower levels of serotonin may make aggressive
behaviour more likely, so we are explaining a complex human behaviour
by looking at very small constituent parts of the human body”
“Supporters of the reductionist approach suggest that it will allow us to
understand, predict and then control aggressive acts by being able to
measure the levels of neurochemicals and then developing and offering
medical intervention. Critics argue that aggression is an interaction of
both biological and environmental factors, and the serotonin explanation
does not go far enough to explain all human aggressive behaviour”
“It is therefore important to recognise all factors involved in aggressive
behaviour, before psychologists make recommendations on how to
combat aggressive behaviour.”
Research evidence
• You will be in groups of four
• You will be given a number
• Sit with that group
• Discuss your studyCrockett et al (2008)
Davidson et al (2000)
Mann et al (1990)
Potegal et al (1996)
• How does it link to NM and the biological approach?
Wider evaluation
Homework
1. If you feel you are struggling with neural
mechanisms please re-read homework/info
from pack on psych205.com
2. Read through the Genetic theories of aggression
(general and warrior gene) and evidence for
both
3. Tuesday 22nd September
Plenary
• Something you have learnt today on the board
before you go