Which of the following best describes a reductionist approach in psychology?
Write A, B, C, or D in your answer book.
Explaining behaviour in a complicated way in terms of complex mechanisms.
Explaining behaviour in a simple way in terms of basic units.
Explaining behaviour in one way and ignoring all other explanations.
Explaining behaviour in several different ways at the same time.
Choose your answer
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A psychology student carried out a study of excitement at a theme park. She measured the heart rate of people waiting in the queue for a roller coaster.
The student’s tutor said, ‘Using heart rate as a measure of excitement is an example of biological reductionism.’
Explain why measuring heart rate in this situation could be an example of biological reductionism.
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A psychology student carried out a study of excitement at a theme park. She measured the heart rate of people waiting in the queue for a roller coaster.
The student’s tutor said, ‘Using heart rate as a measure of excitement is an example of biological reductionism.’
Outline two non-biological ways of measuring excitement that the student could also use in this situation.
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Explain one strength and one limitation of a reductionist approach in psychology.
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‘Psychologists sometimes adopt a reductionist approach to their investigations when they want their research to be objective and empirical.’
Discuss reductionism in psychological research. Refer to the statement above in your answer
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