Ism of the day–Holism
Holism is a concept that can be found in various fields, including philosophy, psychology, and medicine. It is the idea that complex systems should be viewed as whole. And further, that these whole systems require consideration of the interactions and interdependencies among their parts.
Context: Psychology
In the context of psychology and human behavior, holism suggests that the human experience cannot be fully comprehended by breaking it down into isolated elements. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of considering the person as a whole being, where thoughts, emotions, behaviors and social interactions are interconnected and play a significant role in shaping an individuals experiences.
An example coming out of this area of study is Holistic medicine. Holistic medicine acknowledges that physical health can be influenced by psychological and emotional factors, and vice versa. There is a focus on treating the overall quality of life, not just treating symptoms.
Understanding of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.