Lecture 3 (final) Flashcards
who created the Braitenberg Vehicle
Valentino Braitenberg
what did Valentino Braitenberg argue
argued that when trying to understand cognitive or behavioural mechanisms, it is used to consider a simple explanation because very complex behaviour can arise from a small set of simple principles
who can up with Ockhams Razor
William of Ockham
what is Ockhams Razor
stating that given several explanations for a phenomenon, the most simple one should be accepted
how come The most simple explanations are easier to falsify/tested than more complex ones
The most simple explanations are easier to falsify/tested than more complex ones because in light of contradicting outcomes, more complex theories can generate ad hoc hypothesis to explain away inconsistencies. Therefore, more complex theories tend to be harder to falsify
how were the Braitenberg Vehicles as an example for reverse reductionism
We designed simple systems using sensors, motors, connections between them, and simple linear functions that described define the relationship between sensor and motor
The behaviour of the vehicle can be fully described with what four components
????????
what is A problem for reductionism
A problem for reductionism is emergent behaviour: complex dynamic systems can be described by simple linear functions, but the arising (emergent) behaviour may be unpredictable
what are the 4 major features of science
Definable subject matter
Theory construction
Hypothesis testing
Empirical methods
what is Definable subject matter
In psychology the subject matter of the science varied over the history of the discipline. From conscious and unconscious human thought, to human and non-human behaviour, to cognitive processes, and to cognitive and neurobiological processes underpinning behaviour (thinking considered a behaviour as well).
what is Theory construction.
A theory represents an attempt to explain observations. For example, behaviourists account for human and non- human behaviour in terms of stimulus-response relationships
what is Hypothesis testing.
It involves generating predictions about behaviour or anything else observed given certain conditions. For example the prediction by Watson that Little Albert will fear anything furry after being fear conditioned to a rat
what is Empirical methods.
The methods are used to collect the data when testing the hypothesis. The methods need to be valid, objective, and reliable
are observations biased or unbiased
Ideally unbiased, but it is questionable if there are unprejudiced observations. We usually have an idea for what we are looking for, and observe using judgements and concepts (prior knowledge). Our observations are therefore not objective, but subjective
does date = facts
Data do not equal facts. They usually are produced by measurements and quantifications. These need to be interpreted within a theory: Facts do not exist objectively, but emerge from a context
what do scientific theories and research reflect
Scientific theories and research reflect that biases, prejudices, values, assumptions, history of the individual scientists and of the scientific community, which is embedded in a cultural context. Science is not free of values
what are the steps to the scientific method
make observation ask how? or why? form hypothesis to answer question use hypothesis for prediction run experiment to test prediction analyse outcomes report results if hypothesis is confirmed, do again! if hypothesis is denied, re-form hypothesis
for the scientific process, what is the classic method: Inductivism
Several observations are used to induce theories, which are used to deduce hypothesis, leading to more observations, eventually to arrive at laws. Example: observing sufficient white swans might lead to law that “ALL SWANS ARE WHITE”
what is another name for popper’s suggestion
Falsificationism
what is Falsificationism
A statement (hypothesis) that is capable of being refuted is deduced from a theory. Tests are designed to refute the predictions (falsification).
what are the 2 branches of the scientific process
Classic Method: Inductivism
Falsificationism (Popper’s suggestion).
what is The Kuhn Cycle of Revolutions
Kuhn Cycle is a simple cycle of progress described by Thomas Kuhn in his The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. In Structure Kuhn challenged the world’s current conception of science, which was that it was a steady progression of the accumulation of new ideas
what are the steps to The Kuhn Cycle of Revolutions (paradigm)
preparadigm period, normal science, anomaly, crisis, revolution, new paradigm replaces old and new phase of normal science begins
what is in the preparadigm period
contending schools
random fact gathering
no science
what is in the normal science
science begins
one paradigm, no schools
puzzle solving research
What is in anomaly
important insoluble problem
what is in crisis
insecurity
loosening of paradigm restrictions
contending theories
emergence of new paradigm
what is in revolution
younger scientists adhere to new paradigm
some older scientists switch allegiance
