Holism in Psychology: Definition and Examples

In other words, human behavior has its own properties that are not explicable in terms of the properties of the elements from which it is derived.

A holistic approach, therefore, suggests that there are different levels of explanation and that at each level, there are “emergent properties” that cannot be reduced to the one below.

Holistic approaches include Humanism, Social, and Gestalt psychology and make use of the case study method. Jahoda’s six elements of Optimal Living are an example of a holistic approach to defining abnormality.

Reductionist explanations, which might work in some circumstances, are considered inappropriate to the study of human subjectivity because here, the emergent property that we have to take account of is that of the “whole person.” 

Otherwise, it makes no sense to try to understand the meaning of anything that anybody might do.

Holism in Psychology

In psychology, holism refers to an approach or perspective that emphasizes the importance of studying and understanding the whole person or system rather than focusing solely on its individual parts or components.

It suggests that individuals should be viewed as integrated and complex beings, with various interconnected aspects that influence their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and overall functioning.

Holism in psychology recognizes that human beings are not simply the sum of their individual traits, but rather they are influenced by multiple factors that interact with one another.

These factors may include biological, psychological, social, cultural, and environmental aspects. Holistic psychologists aim to understand how these elements interact and shape an individual’s experiences and behaviors.

The holistic perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of various dimensions of human functioning. For example, it acknowledges that individual thoughts and emotions do not solely determine psychological well-being but can also be influenced by social relationships, cultural context, physical health, and environmental factors.

Holistic approaches in psychology often strive to consider the whole person in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. This can involve considering the person’s background, beliefs, values, relationships, and broader social and environmental factors contributing to their well-being or challenges.

By adopting a holistic perspective, psychologists aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of individuals and their experiences, considering both internal and external factors.

This approach recognizes the complexity of human beings and the need to address multiple dimensions for a more complete understanding and effective intervention.

Humanism

Humanism investigates all aspects of the individual and the interactions between people.

It emerged as a reaction against those dehumanizing psychological perspectives that attempted to reduce behavior to a set of simple elements.

Humanistic, or third force psychologists, feel that holism is the only valid approach to the complete understanding of mind and behavior. They reject reductionism in all its forms.

Their starting point is the self (our sense of personal identity) which they consider a functioning whole. In Carl Rogers’s words, it is an “organized, consistent set of perceptions and beliefs about oneself.”

It includes an awareness of the person I am and could be. It directs our behavior in all the consciously chosen aspects of our lives and is fundamentally motivated towards achieving self-actualization.

For humanists, then, the self is the most essential and unique quality of human beings. It is what makes us what we are and is the basis of the difference between psychology and all-natural science.

Humanistic psychology investigates all aspects of the individual and the interactions between people.

Reductionist explanations undermine the indivisible unity of experience. They run counter to and ultimately destroy the very object of psychological inquiry.  A holistic point of view is, thus, in humanist terms, the very basis of all knowledge of the human psyche.

Social Psychology

Social psychology looks at the behavior of individuals in a social context. Group behavior (e.g., conformity, de-individualization) may show characteristics greater than the sum of the individuals comprising it.

Psychoanalysis

Freud adopted an interactionist approach in that he considered that behavior resulted from a dynamic interaction between the id, ego, and superego.

Perception

This is where the brain understands and interprets sensory information. Visual illusions show that humans perceive more than the sum of the sensations on the retina.