Science & Psych Unit 1

Question 1

Scientific method

Answer 1

Represents logic of inquiry, specific system of rules to be followed in solving problems and acquiring knowledge.

Question 2

Objective observations

Answer 2

Made in a way that any person having normal perception and being in the same place at the same time arrive at the same observation.

Question 3

Science has 4 objectives

Answer 3

1. Descriptive: phenomenon must be described in detail
2. Explanation: the cause of phenomenon must be explained
3. Prediction: accurate predictions of future events can be made
4. Control: Events might be controlled

Question 4

Assumptions of science

Answer 4

1. Realism: the world exists outside of our minds
2. Rationality: the world can be understood by logic thinking
3. Regularity: world follows same laws at all times and all places
4. Discoverability: we can discover how the world works (possible to learn solutions to questions)
5. Causality: all events have a cause

Question 5

What is the belief that all events are caused?

Answer 5

Determinism

Question 6

Cause and effect has 3 criteria that must be met

Answer 6

1. Temporal precedence - Something that occurs prior to another thing (cause before event) ex: must eat ice cream before getting sick
2. Co-variation of cause and effect - When cause is introduced the effect occurs. ex: you eat ice cream again and get sick
3. Elimination of alternative explanations - No other possible explanation

Question 7

Characteristics of science (POPEST)

Answer 7

1. Progressive - science moves forward toward truth, adding more information continually
2. Objective - MOST IMPORTANT, objective observation
3. Parsimonious - we should use the simplest explanation possible to account for a given phenomenon
4. Empirical - directly seen
5. Self-correcting - new evidence corrects previous beliefs
6. Tentative - never claims to have the whole truth
7. Concerned with theory

Question 8

What are the different ways of knowing behavior?

Answer 8

1. Non-empirical methods - Authority & Logic

2. Empirical methods - Intuition & Science

Question 9

Authority - definition and limitations

Answer 9

Authority - receiving answers/information from someone who is of authority

Limitation - it is often wrong

Question 10

Logic - definition and limitations

Answer 10

Logic - based on reasoning
ex) “humans are animals, THEREFORE human behavior is..
The first 2 sentences are truth, and the 3rd is logic

Limitation - the logical answer can be valid but not true

Question 11

Intuition - definition and limitations

Answer 11

Intuition - described as common sense (gut-feeling or hunches)

Limitations - standards differ from time to time and place to place according to attitudes and experiences of culture
- the only criteria it recognizes for judging truth is whether or not it works

Question 12

Science - definition and limitations

Answer 12

Science - (SUPERIOR to all others) obtaining knowledge through objective observation