What is the difference between determinism and reductionism?

Reductionism is when complex behaviour is reduced to just one or two factors. For example, Behaviourism reduces complex learning down to just stimulus-response (e.g. classical conditioning), and the Biological approach reduces human behaviour down to the action of genes and neurons. The opposite of reductionism can be seen in the Humanistic appraoch - holism; whereby 'the whole' indivdiual is investigated to understand behaviour.

Determinism is when our behaviour is said to be determined by factors (i.e. not by our own free will). For example, the Psychodynamic approach states that human behaviour is driven by our unconscious minds (e.g. the id) - our conscious mind cannot control this, it can only rationalise it. Again, the opposite of determinism can be seen in Humanism - free will; whereby humans are active agents who determine their own development.

RW
Answered by Rebecca W. Psychology tutor

33575 Views

See similar Psychology A Level tutors

Related Psychology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe Bowlby's theory of attachment and how the "Strange situation" experiment applies this theory. Describe the experiment and distinguish the different patterns of attachment.


What is the difference between quantitative data and qualitative data?


A psychologist decided to interview both Zina and Amanda five months later to see if they could still remember the same level of detail about the incident. Explain one ethical issue the psychologist must consider before interviewing Zina and Amanda.


Outline ways in which behaviourists can treat phobias.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning