Philosophical Foundations of Psychology Flashcards
(2 cards)
What is the definition of philosophy?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Philosophy is the study of knowledge, reality, and existence, often characterized as a ‘love of wisdom’ derived from the Greek term philosophia.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What is empiricism in psychology?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Empiricism is the philosophical assumption that conclusions must be based on observation that is objective, systematic, and replicable.
Click to flip
starQuestion
Explain Cartesian dualism.
Click to flip
starAnswer
Cartesian dualism is the view that the mind and body are distinct entities; the mind is a non-physical substance that thinks, while the body is a physical substance that occupies space and obeys natural laws.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What are the two types of reasoning in science?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Induction involves collecting facts to form general laws, while deduction starts with a hypothesis to make predictions that are then tested through observation.
Click to flip
starQuestion
How does falsificationism differ from induction?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Falsificationism, proposed by Popper, starts with a hypothesis and seeks to test it by attempting to prove it false, whereas induction collects data to support a general law without proving it definitively.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What is the scientific method?
Click to flip
starAnswer
The scientific method is a systematic approach to investigation that involves making observations, forming hypotheses, testing predictions, and drawing conclusions, originally articulated by Sir Francis Bacon.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What criteria must a hypothesis meet to qualify as scientific?
Click to flip
starAnswer
A hypothesis must be falsifiable, meaning it can be proven false through observation, to be considered a scientific statement.
Click to flip
starQuestion
How do psychological hypotheses conform to scientific criteria?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Psychological hypotheses are considered scientific as they are falsifiable and can be tested through experimental data, thereby supporting or refuting them based on observation.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What is the mind-body problem?
Click to flip
starAnswer
The mind-body problem explores how the immaterial mind can interact with the physical body, a dilemma famously addressed by Descartes who suggested that the pineal gland is the point of interaction.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What does ‘parsimonious explanation’ mean in the context of psychological theories?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Parsimony refers to the principle that when presented with competing explanations, the simpler one is preferred, often summarized as Occam’s razor.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What is the definition of philosophy?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Philosophy is the study of knowledge, reality, and existence, often characterized as a ‘love of wisdom’ derived from the Greek term philosophia.
Click to flip
1 / 10
What is the Theory of Mind?
Click to flip
starAnswer
The Theory of Mind is the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others, enabling individuals to understand and predict behaviors based on beliefs, desires, and emotions.
Click to flip
starQuestion
How does human reasoning often differ from rationality?
Click to flip
starAnswer
While humans are considered rational beings, psychological research indicates that they frequently make irrational choices and perform poorly on reasoning tests, such as the Wason task and the Gambler’s Fallacy.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What is the Scientific Method?
Click to flip
starAnswer
The Scientific Method is a systematic approach to inquiry that involves forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, collecting data, and refining theories based on the results to progress knowledge.
Click to flip
starQuestion
Why is it important to test theories in psychology?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Testing theories in psychology is crucial because it allows researchers to support or refute hypotheses, leading to a more accurate understanding of psychological phenomena.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What happens when a hypothesis is refuted?
Click to flip
starAnswer
When a hypothesis is refuted, researchers amend the hypothesis and conduct further tests, continuously refining their understanding as they approach a more accurate representation of the truth.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What does it mean for psychology to be WEIRD?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Psychology is considered WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) because most psychological research is based on participants from these backgrounds, which may not represent the global population.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What are paradigms according to Kuhn?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Kuhn defined paradigms as the frameworks of assumptions and principles that guide scientific communities, influencing how scientists think and behave within a specific field.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What is a paradigm shift?
Click to flip
starAnswer
A paradigm shift occurs when a dominant scientific paradigm is replaced by a new one following the identification of significant anomalies that cannot be explained by the existing paradigm.
Click to flip
starQuestion
How does the false belief task relate to the development of Theory of Mind?
Click to flip
starAnswer
The false belief task demonstrates that children aged 3 to 5 struggle to differentiate between their own mental representations and reality, indicating that Theory of Mind develops during early childhood.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What are the two notions of rationality proposed by Evans and Over?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Evans and Over proposed two notions of rationality: (1) thinking that is generally reliable for achieving goals, and (2) thinking that conforms to normative theories, with humans excelling at the former but struggling with the latter.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What is the role of authority in acquiring knowledge?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Authority plays a role in acquiring knowledge as individuals may accept ideas and claims as true simply because they are stated by a figure of authority, rather than through critical evaluation.
Click to flip
starQuestion
Describe the importance of empirical research in psychology.
Click to flip
starAnswer
Empirical research is critical in psychology as it relies on observation and experience to gather data, allowing for evidence-based conclusions that can support or challenge existing theories.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What is the significance of the ‘intentional stance’ according to Dennett?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Dennett’s ‘intentional stance’ suggests that to predict another’s behavior, one must treat them as a rational agent with beliefs and desires, allowing for the understanding of their actions based on this framework.
Click to flip
starQuestion
How do anomalies lead to scientific revolutions?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Anomalies arise when existing paradigms fail to explain new data or observations, leading to a crisis that can result in the development of competing theories and ultimately a scientific revolution when a new paradigm is adopted.
Click to flip
starQuestion
Why is it unlikely that we will ever ‘know’ we are completely right in science?
Click to flip
starAnswer
Science is a continually evolving process based on hypotheses and refutations; as we refine our understanding through testing, we can approach the truth but can never claim absolute certainty.
Click to flip
starQuestion
What is the Theory of Mind?
Click to flip
starAnswer
The Theory of Mind is the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others, enabling individuals to understand and predict behaviors based on beliefs, desires, and emotions.
Click to flip
1 / 15
