Introduction Flashcards

1
Q

Science

A

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

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2
Q

Science

A

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

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3
Q

Scientific method

A

-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

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4
Q

Problem with verification

A

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

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5
Q

Scientific method

A

-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

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6
Q

Problem with verification

A

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

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7
Q

Popper

A

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

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8
Q

Theory of scientific progress

A

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

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9
Q

Critical discussion

A

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

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10
Q

Kuhn

A
  • 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
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11
Q

Theory of scientific progress

A

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

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12
Q

Prescience (no paradigm)

A

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

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13
Q

Normal science (paradigm)

A

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

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14
Q

Crisis (paradigm shift)

A

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

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15
Q

Science is superior

A
  • 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)
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16
Q

Truth

A

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

17
Q

Rationality

A

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

18
Q

Objectivity

A

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

19
Q

Psychology is not a science

A
  • 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)
20
Q

Psychology is not a science

A
  • 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)
21
Q

Social construction

A
  • 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
22
Q

Assumptions of social constructionism

A
  • Critical stance toward taken for granted knowledge
  • Historical and cultural specificity
  • Knowledge is sustained by social processes
  • Knowledge and social interactions go together
23
Q

Critical stance toward taken for granted knowledge

A
  • 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
24
Q

Historical and cultural specificity

A

-theories and explanations are time and culture bound

25
Q

Knowledge is sustained by social processes

A
  • 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
26
Q

Knowledge and social action go together

A
  • 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