Introduction

Question 1

Science

Answer 1

-Effort to build a system of knowledge about the world using scientific methods

Question 2

Science

Answer 2

-Effort to build a system of knowledge about the world using scientific methods

Question 3

Scientific method

Answer 3

-positivists use empiricism’s which is a statement that can be verified as true through observation, intervention and deduction which starts bread and becomes specific

Question 4

Problem with verification

Answer 4

-cannot make general assumptions based on limited observation, as the next observation may refute our own

Question 5

Scientific method

Answer 5

-positivists use empiricism’s which is a statement that can be verified as true through observation, intervention and deduction which starts bread and becomes specific

Question 6

Problem with verification

Answer 6

-cannot make general assumptions based on limited observation, as the next observation may refute our own

Question 7

Popper

Answer 7

-Suggested it is important to understand the world and governing laws, but predictions must be falsifiable (what needs to happen to falsify my theory)

Question 8

Theory of scientific progress

Answer 8

-Prescience (no paradigm) - normal science (paradigm maintained despite falsification) - crisis (paradigm shift) - revolution - new normal science - new crisis etc.

Question 9

Critical discussion

Answer 9

-Create theory through discussion with other scientists and criticize through falsification testing, then repeat

Question 10

Kuhn

Answer 10

• Suggested that science moves through paradigm shifts
• Paradigms are extremely pervading theories or approaches that influence our view of the world
• Crisis causes paradigm shift when there is too much evidence against the them

Question 11

Theory of scientific progress

Answer 11

-Prescience - normal science - crisis - revolution - new normal science - new crisis etc.

Question 12

Prescience (no paradigm)

Answer 12

-Collection of facts and observations but no unifying theory or framework

Question 13

Normal science (paradigm)

Answer 13

-Unifying framework is created which suggests what should be examined and how

Question 14

Crisis (paradigm shift)

Answer 14

-Data seems to be going in a different direction, so paradigm is replaced

Question 15

Science is superior

Answer 15

• Scientific knowledge is seen as infallible as it is based on observation and experiment unlike humanities which are based on opinion
• Therefore, scientific discoveries are seen as safe, trustworthy, rigorous and objective (often used in skin care advertisements for the lay population)

Question 16

Truth

Answer 16

Scientific statements are true when they correspond to physical reality e.g. formula for ball rolling down a hill is the same as a ball rolling down a hill

Question 17

Rationality

Answer 17

-truth is guaranteed because scientific statements are based on sound method

Question 18

Objectivity

Answer 18

Knowledge of the physical reality and our knowledge of it does not depend on it being observed e.g. ball rolling down a hill, scientists woel

Question 19

Psychology is not a science

Answer 19

• Stereotypes of science are very different to psychology
• Researchers findings are easy to understand so practitioners don’t feel like scientists (not all think scientific method is necessary)

Question 20

Psychology is not a science

Answer 20

• Stereotypes of science are very different to psychology
• Researchers findings are easy to understand so practitioners don’t feel like scientists (not all think scientific method is necessary)

Question 21

Social construction

Answer 21

• Gergen: all knowledge is historically and culturally specific
• must look at social, political and economical realms to understand present day psychology and social life
• Scientific knowledge is a social construction by the scientific community (affected by language and culture)
• Social constructionists question the special status of science (see scientific explanations as stories told by particular group of scientists
• Truth of statements depends on how coherent statements are with rest of paradigm
• Psychology is produced by, produces and is an instance of its own subject matter

Question 22

Assumptions of social constructionism

Answer 22

• Critical stance toward taken for granted knowledge
• Historical and cultural specificity
• Knowledge is sustained by social processes
• Knowledge and social interactions go together

Question 23

Critical stance toward taken for granted knowledge

Answer 23

• Our knowledge of the world does not come from random unbiased sampling
• The categories with which we understand the world do not necessarily correspond to real natural distinctions

Question 24

Historical and cultural specificity

Answer 24

-theories and explanations are time and culture bound

Question 25

Knowledge is sustained by social processes

Answer 25

• Our current way if understanding the world does not reflect the world as it really is (objective reality) constructed through everyday interactions
• Conceptual frameworks and categories are used
• Language is necessary for thought

Question 26

Knowledge and social action go together

Answer 26

• Each social construction invites a different kind of action and tries to explain the interactions that occur between people
• Psychology looks for explanations of social phenomena in the individual e.g. attitudes, motives and cognition