Scientific worldviews Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are the functions of forming explanations?
psychological
- avoid uncertainty and conflict (causal uncertainty is depressing)
practical
- predict and control events
What is the teleological explanation?
explanation by purpose/ intent
psychological
- avoid uncertainty and conflict
does not apply to practical (predicting and controlling events)
What is the empirical explanation?
Theory
- explanation that looks to determine underlying causes of phenomena
Hypothesis
- precise testable predictions that evaluates theory
Falsifiable
- clear states outcomes that wouldn’t support theory
What are the properties of the scientific method?
Replication
- repeatable and publicly observable?
Predictions
- apply to other phenomena
Basic division:
Verification vs Falsificationism
What is verificationism?
what you would expect to see if the theory were true? test for is this is happening/ can we make it so?
Natural verificationists
- we look for what we are expecting
- theory matching experience
Representativeness heuristic
- how similar is experience to existing theory
Availability heuristic
- how easily can i call up an existing theory to apply to the experience
How is evolution linked to verificationism?
Theory suggests we should find that animals have ‘adapted to environment’
Theory is bolstered by evidence that is consistent with it
Find birds with special beaks for collecting nuts, fruits, insects etc
What is falsaificationism?
What specific observation would mean that the theory CANNOT be sufficient to explain observed phenomena
scientists trying to debunk their own theories
opposite of verificationist hypothesis testing
How does evolution link to falsificationism?
Suggests we should NOT find mammals in Devonian strata, because mammals had not evolved yet
Theory is vulnerable to evidence that would it
Finding a rat skeleton in Devonian strata = theory of evolution is damaged
Falsificationism explained further…
broad issue in psychology
- absence of clear falsification conditions for many theories
Good theory for this is ELM
- originally proposed thought bias and variable as argument as exhaustive of how variables can persuade when people are thinking carefully
What are the 4 stages of scientific revolution?
Science goes through stages
immature - mature
- Identification of phenomena
- Development of overarching paradigm
- Crisis - experiences don’t match paradigm expectations
- Paradigm shift (back to stage 2)
Stage 1. Pre-paradigm science
Pseudo theory for every observable phenomenon
- theories are descriptions of effects, rather than explanations
No consensus on broader theories to explain multiple phenomena
Progress limited:
- no agreement on acceptable methods
- no consolidation of resources to build instruments/ labs
- no communication due to lack of common language
Stage 2. Paradigm science
Theories are that apply to multiple observable phenomenon
- explanations that hypothesize shared causes for different phenomena
Broad consensus on a paradigm sets common values and methods
Normal science
Process facilitated:
- agreement on acceptable methods/ what phenomena are of note
- consolidation of resources
- communication grows
Stage 3. Crisis Science
Cognitive conflict
- after sufficient interaction without explanation, some ppts experience ‘acute personal distress’
Assimilation bias = perceive reality as if it confirms your worldview
Arousal and essential tension
- contradiction
Consistency motivation
- does scientific experience match paradigm expectations?
Stage 4. Paradigm shift
Eventually, paradigm can no longer solves important issues
Science stagnates until paradigm shift
- new way of seeing phenomena
Solves most older issues and sets out new values/ creates new issues to solve
Different language
