Abstract
This report discusses the presentation of psychobiological determinants of behaviour in the media. Focusing on online newspapers, this report will discuss seven examples of reductionist reporting. Although some parts of psychology have biological underpinnings, it is important to take more of a holistic approach when trying to develop an understanding for them. Examples include sibling aggression, internet usage and depression, diet and depression, natural remedies for relieving anxiety and depression, aggression in terms of violent media and depression as an illness. The examples demonstrate that reductionism is alive and well as the media and popular press tend to report psychobiological issues from a reductionist perspective. If …show more content…
Many people get their information about a range of subjects, from the popular press, including print media and internet sources. The reliability of the information presented in these sources is often questioned with suggestions that the press often take a reductionist stance when reporting on psychological phenomena (Conboy, 2002). Reductionism is the belief that complex human behaviour can be understood from a simplistic standpoint often involving breaking it down into smaller parts (Putnam, 1973). Reductionism from a biological standpoint, attempts to explain human behaviour from a biological standpoint (Putnam, 1973). Although some parts of psychology have biological underpinnings, it is important to take more of a holistic approach when trying to develop an understanding for them. Failing to consider psychosocial aspects of human behaviour limits our understanding of psychology (Putnam, 1973). This report will examine the way in which biological determinates of behaviour are reported in the press in relation to reductionism. This report will demonstrate that reductionism is prevalent in the popular press. Of the examples presented in this report, majority held a reductionist reporting style with the partial exception of one article, Figure 7. In addition we will demonstrate importance for consumers of these articles have a true understanding of the multifaceted psychobiological nature of …show more content…
As previously stated, psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression need treatment programs designed by heath care professionals on a case by case basis. Reporting treatment options for anxiety from a more holistic perspective would greatly assist readers looking for answers, in finding the right advice and therefore seeking out the effective treatments.
In the next example of reductionism in popular media Dudley- Nicholson (2013) refers to a study conducted by the University of Queensland, reporting that violent video games do not cause anti-social behaviour. The study measured the level of pro-social behaviour after the participants were exposed to violent or non violent video games. And found that there was no significant reduction in pro-social behaviour after exposure to the video games. Dudley- Nicholson (2013) interpretation is that violent video games don’t cause anti-social behaviour. What’s more, Dudley-Nicholson (2013) backs up the misleading with a quote from the CEO of a major gaming association, who rationalises that increased play of violent video games over the past decade has not resulted in an increase in violent behaviour. Review of studies focusing on anti-social behaviour and aggression in relation to violent video game play show contrasting trends. Many studies
This report discusses the presentation of psychobiological determinants of behaviour in the media. Focusing on online newspapers, this report will discuss seven examples of reductionist reporting. Although some parts of psychology have biological underpinnings, it is important to take more of a holistic approach when trying to develop an understanding for them. Examples include sibling aggression, internet usage and depression, diet and depression, natural remedies for relieving anxiety and depression, aggression in terms of violent media and depression as an illness. The examples demonstrate that reductionism is alive and well as the media and popular press tend to report psychobiological issues from a reductionist perspective. If …show more content…
Many people get their information about a range of subjects, from the popular press, including print media and internet sources. The reliability of the information presented in these sources is often questioned with suggestions that the press often take a reductionist stance when reporting on psychological phenomena (Conboy, 2002). Reductionism is the belief that complex human behaviour can be understood from a simplistic standpoint often involving breaking it down into smaller parts (Putnam, 1973). Reductionism from a biological standpoint, attempts to explain human behaviour from a biological standpoint (Putnam, 1973). Although some parts of psychology have biological underpinnings, it is important to take more of a holistic approach when trying to develop an understanding for them. Failing to consider psychosocial aspects of human behaviour limits our understanding of psychology (Putnam, 1973). This report will examine the way in which biological determinates of behaviour are reported in the press in relation to reductionism. This report will demonstrate that reductionism is prevalent in the popular press. Of the examples presented in this report, majority held a reductionist reporting style with the partial exception of one article, Figure 7. In addition we will demonstrate importance for consumers of these articles have a true understanding of the multifaceted psychobiological nature of …show more content…
As previously stated, psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression need treatment programs designed by heath care professionals on a case by case basis. Reporting treatment options for anxiety from a more holistic perspective would greatly assist readers looking for answers, in finding the right advice and therefore seeking out the effective treatments.
In the next example of reductionism in popular media Dudley- Nicholson (2013) refers to a study conducted by the University of Queensland, reporting that violent video games do not cause anti-social behaviour. The study measured the level of pro-social behaviour after the participants were exposed to violent or non violent video games. And found that there was no significant reduction in pro-social behaviour after exposure to the video games. Dudley- Nicholson (2013) interpretation is that violent video games don’t cause anti-social behaviour. What’s more, Dudley-Nicholson (2013) backs up the misleading with a quote from the CEO of a major gaming association, who rationalises that increased play of violent video games over the past decade has not resulted in an increase in violent behaviour. Review of studies focusing on anti-social behaviour and aggression in relation to violent video game play show contrasting trends. Many studies