features of science Flashcards
what is a paradigm
a shared set out assumptions and method from scientific disciplines
what is paradigm shift
when researchers start to question the accepted paradigm , when there is too much contradictory evidence to ignore then the shift occurs and the old paradigm is not the paradigm anymore
everyone thought the earth was at the centre of solar system but the
research example of paradigm shift
behaviourism using dogs in 1920s goes towards cognitive neuroscience in 1970s using things like electrical imaging
kuhn felt that social sciences lacked a …
and why is psych a prescience
universally acceptable paradigm and so they are presciences but also because there are too much internal disagreement with too many conflicting approaches to qualify as a science
kuhn suggested that an established science occurs when…
there is a SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION which is a new paradigm after a paradigm shift
what is a theory
a set of general laws or principles that have the ability to explain particular events or behaviours
what is theory construction
occurs through gathering evidence via direct observation eg evidence stm has limited capacity
what is hypothesis testing
hypotheses need to be produced and tested using objective and systematic methods only this way can it be falsified
what is deduction
the process of deriving a new hypothesis from an existing theory
what is falsifiability
the principle that a theory cannot be considered scientific unless it aims the possibility of being proved untrue (false)
what did karl popper say made pseudosciences what they are
the fact that they cant be falsified
is freuds psychodynamic approach falsifiable and why
no because the role of the unconscious cannot be tested
what is the role of a null hypothesis
alternative hs must always be accompanied by a null which allows for falsifying the hypothesis
in order for a study to be replicable what does it need to be
standardised
replication is important for determining the validity and reliability of a finding to explore ….
the extent this can be generalised
to ensure replicability researchers must report their investigations with as must precision as possible enabling …
other researchers to verify their work and the findings they have established
if a scientific theory is trusted then the findings from it must be shown to be …
repeatable across a number of different contexts and circumstances
what is empiricism
emphasising the importance of data collection based on direct sensory experience eg experimental observational method (not judgement)
an empiricist john locke saw knowledge as determined only by experience and sensory perception (nurture)
arguing that a theory cannot be scientific unless ….
empirically tested and verified
not every psych theory can have this
give an example of a method of data collection that isnt objective
self report technique which has a risk of bias
lab studies are good because theyre objective meaning that they dont …
allow the personal opinions/biases of the researchers to “discolour” the data they collect or influence the behaviour of the participants theyre studying
