Week 2 Flashcards
(28 cards)
The Scientific Method
A family of rigorous procedures that helps us understand, predict, and communicate regularities found in the physical world.
In its most basic form, it treats natural phenomena as a ‘box’ and asks “What’s inside and how does it work?”
Scientific Theory
set of related statements that both explain and predict natural phenomena. It is broader than any specific hypothesis and cannot be refuted by a single observation or experiment.
Scientific theories (and hypothesis) are never proven to be true
Laws
Relationships with tremendous empirical evidence, generally believed to be true and universal. These are often stated in the form of an equation. [2nd law of motion: f=ma]
Principles
Relationships that tend to be true, but have more exceptions. [Positive reinforcement increases the probability of repeating behavior.]
Hypotheses
Predictions that re consistent with an existing body of knowledge or theory. [Withholding positive reinforcement may decrease the probability of repeating behavior.]
Beliefs/Assumptions
Subjective assertions lacking rigorous empirical testing or support. Some beliefs are unstable. [The should is the seat of consciousness.]
What does a good scientific theory look like?
- Pasimony
- Precision
- Testability
- Accuracy
Pasimony
When two equally accurate explanations are available, we choose the simpler account. [Occam’s razor]
Precision
Theories or hypotheses should be stated precisely and without ambiguity.
Testability
Good theories or hypotheses must be testable. That is, it must be possible to falsify the prediction, by empirically demonstrating (by likelihood of the evidence) it to be wrong. [Failure is always an option.]
Accuracy
predictions must be supported by episode outcomes (repeatedly).
Pseudoscience
Theories that appear to be scientific, but does nit actually follow the scientific method
Typical signs of pseudoscience
- Overuse of ad hoc hypothesis
- Reliance on authority
- Lack of self correction are growth
- Absence of connectivity
- It makes extraordinary claims
Overuse of ad how hypothesis
When one prediction fails, another always appears to take its place. [unfalsifiable]
Reliance on authority
Some of the claims come from privileged information or collection of anecdotes.
Lack of self correction or growth
The theory doesn’t change in response to new information.
Absence of connectivity
It does not seem consistent with other empirical theories.
It makes extraordinary claims
The claims far outpace the evidence (may rely on sensationalism)
What are the requirements for a hypothesis?
- Consistent with some body of knowledge (it may challenge some interpretation)
- Empirically testable and observable
- must be very specific - Some experiment or principle must be able to falsify the hypothesis.
- should be practical. - Reproducible by others.
Building a scientific hypothesis
- Specific/precise and operationalize the question.
- This will allow us the measure the phenomena of interest and quantify relationships.
Measurement
Assigning values (numbers or categories) to observable events.
The experiences in the head of the subject are called sensory _______. Scientists can’t directly observe these.
Qualia
We build _____ _______ to describe qualia.
Theoretical constructs
Operational definition
Assigns observable behavior as a proxy for the unobservable theoretical entity and allows you to infer its presence.
