SK277 Learning Outcomes

Book 1 Chapter 1
1. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the holistic and
reductionist approaches to health and healthcare using
e!amples from "iolog# sociolog# and ps#cholog#.
$eductionism % An approach to analysing complex phenomena from
within an all embracing level of explanation. All other apparent levels
of explanation are reduced to subsidiary manifestations of the
fundamental level or discarded as irrelevant
Strengths of reductionism
Allows investigations to proceed with great attention to detail
on a narrow and hence manageable front
The intensity of the focus on well defined areas of study has
produced a vast wealth of scientific knowledge
&eakness of reductionism
The attention to detail can be at the expense of attempts to study
the whole. Influences of complex phenomena which fall within the
field of study of another discipline are ignored and interactions
between different influences go unnoticed
'olistic approach to healthcare % A type of approach to describing or
analysing a complex phenomenon which takes account of all possible
levels of explanation and their interactions. The phenomenon itself is
considered as a whole which is more than just the sum of its component
parts or influences.
'olistic approach to healthcare strengths
nowledge generated by one discipline can inform and enhance
the investigations carried out in another field of study and reveal
interactions between them
'olistic approach to healthcare weaknesses
!ard to get anything done if all disciplines have to be involved
"otentially valuable single discipline work can be underrated
#o one has full command of the knowledge and debates of every
discipline
2. (!plain what is meant "# "iological determinism and the nature
nurture de"ate
Biological determinism % An example of reductionism. It believes that
even though an organism expresses it characteristics in behaviour and in
the structure and activity of its cells$ tissues and organs the ultimate
explanation for all its characteristics lies in the organisms genes
)he nature nurture de"ate % Is a debate about the relative contributions
of genetic inheritance %nature& and environmental influences %nurture& to
the physical and behavioural characteristics of an organism or species
The method of treating "' shows how genes %nature& and environment
interact %nurture&. If you have a faulty gene which means you cannot
breakdown phenylalanine$ then it will accumulate in the blood which
leads to brain damage at an early stage of development. (y minimising
the dietary intake %environment& of phenylalanine the condition can be
managed$ and the symptoms of "' will not develop
*. State the "asic principles of Darwin+s theor# of "iological
e,olution "# natural selection
)volution proceeds by natural selection in which individuals with the
most adaptive characteristics in a given environment are selected. These
individuals have greater fitness than others so have a greater chance of
surviving to reproduce. They pass on their genes to their offspring who in
turn survive to reproduce because of the survival advantage conferred.
*ver many generations$ the number of individuals with the adaptive
characteristic increases$ until everyone has them.
-. Descri"e how epidemiological studies can "e used to indicate
possi"le casual factors in disease
(pidemiolog# % A study in which relationships are sought between
particular factors suspected of influencing contraction of diseases and
measures of health in communities and populations
(y demonstrating statistically significant correlations$ as between
hypertension and placental birth weight ratio in a group of individuals$
such studies can lead to the formulation of a hypothesis about specific
causes of disease which can then be studied by more direct means$
leading to ways of improving health
.. (!plain the programming h#pothesis and descri"e the
proposed link "etween fetal en,ironment and h#pertension in
later life
/rogramming h#pothesis % This hypothesis states that an embryo or
fetus has sensitive periods in its development during which
environmental influences can exert irreversible effects$ with
conse+uences for the future health of the individual. I.e. its
developmental path is reprogrammed relative to that of an embryo that
did not experience such conditions
)he proposed link "etween fetal en,ironment and h#pertension in
later life
The ,outhampton group study suggests that malnutrition or h#po!ia
%reduced oxygen& experienced by a developing embryo due to inade+uate
diet or smoking by the mother puts the child at risk of h#pertension
%high blood pressure& later in life.
Animal studies have shown that malnutrition or hypoxia causes a
redistribution of blood to the brain at the expense of the rest of the body.
This results in a larger head relative to the si-e of the body and %if the
mother is malnourished& the placenta will tend to be larger.
These findings are constant with the findings of the ,outhampton study.