Quiz 1 Flashcards
Define Skepticism. Why is it important to be skeptical as a consumer of any info but especially as a scientist?
agent of reason against organized irrationalism.
When faced with a problem we need factual info, preferably science-based and time-tested; we need objective data with high degree of reliability; we need guidance that is objectively validated.
List and give examples of why people believe weird things.
Emotional anecdotes tell a good story (weight loss commercials), we resist changing fundamental beliefs, correlation is taken as causation, we tend to see the hits and ignore the misses.
What are the disadvantages to a “try everything new” approach to treating a disorder or problem?
- Trying too many things at once does not allow you to know what is truly effective.
- Waste time, energy, money.
- Time spent away from effective treatment.
- May be deadly or have dangerous side effects.
What is a better approach than “try everything new?”
An approach that is science based and welcomes professional scrutiny, peer review, and objective validation.
What is science?
direct, objective observation and measurement, manipulation of events; control procedures to rule out alternative explanations; repeated demonstrations; critical peer review
What is pseudoscience?
treats phenomena that do not involve the hallmarks of scientific method as though they were scientific
What is antiscience?
rejection of science-based methods/findings as a means of producing useful knowledge
What is subjective evidence?
based on one person’s personal perspective
testimonials, self-reports
What is objective evidence?
involves measurement and description of natural phenomenon that can be observed by more than one person; methods for collecting info are put in place to reduce bias and rule out alternative explanations; involves operational definitions, multiple measurement procedures, reliability checks
What is descriptive research?
observation of behavior or phenomenon without manipulating variables; uncontrolled research
What is experimental research?
observation of behavior or phenomenon and manipulation of some variable(s); controlled research with IV and DV
What is internal validity?
change in the DV was due to influence of the IV and not confounding variables
What is external validity?
results can be applied to the “real world”
For Shermer, modern skepticism is embodied in the ________, which involves gathering data to test natural explanations for natural phenomena.
scientific method
