Features of Science

Question 1

features of science

Answer 1

1. objectivity and empirical evidence
2. replicability
3. theory construction and hypothesis testing
4. falsifiability
5. paradigms and paradigm shift

Question 2

objectivity

Answer 2

• based on facts not opinions
• true for everyone
• dispassionate
• based on evidence - empiricism

Question 3

subjectivity

Answer 3

• opinion not fact
• not universal
• emotive

Question 4

empirical

Answer 4

• data collection based in direct sensory experience
• e.g. experimental and observational methods
• theory cannot be scientific unless it’s been empirically tested and verified

Question 5

replicability

Answer 5

• findings must be repeatable across a series of contexts and circumstances
• allows us to see the extent to which findings can be generalised - helps validate theories
• do this by: standardising procedures & and instructions - controlling environment

Question 6

theory construction and hypothesis testing

Answer 6

• creating general laws of behaviour
• occurs through testing hypothesis and gathering evidence via direct observation using empirical methods
• HT: make clear precise predictions on basis of a theory, should suggest a number of possible hypothesis

Question 7

falsifiability

Answer 7

• genuine theories should hold themselves up for hypothesis testing and the possibility of being proven false
• true science doesn’t focus on supporting evidence, but rather lack of contradictory evidence

Question 8

paradigms

Answer 8

• a shared set of assumptions and methods
• Kuhn cycle: pre-science - normal science - model drift - model crisis - model Revolution - paradigm change

Question 9

paradigm shift

Answer 9

• progress in a science when there’s a scientific Revolution
• too much contradictory evidence to ignore
• e.g. Copernican Revolution - shift from sun orbiting earth to earth orbiting sun
• psych not yet undergone paradigm shift