Neural MechanismsLesson 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 issuesEthical considerations, Socially sensitive research, Use of animals, Gender bias Cultural bias  Debates – Psychological research is debated within these constructsFree will vs determinismBiological reductionism vs holismNature vs NurturePsychology as a science Approaches - Psychologists tend to research from a specific perspective. Broad categories include:Biological PsychologySocial PsychologyBehaviourismPsychodynamic approachCognitive PsychologyEvolutionary PsychologyHumanist

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?

StrengthsLooks 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 study- Crockett 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