Lecture 3 (final)

Question 1

who created the Braitenberg Vehicle

Answer 1

Valentino Braitenberg

Question 2

what did Valentino Braitenberg argue

Answer 2

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

Question 3

who can up with Ockhams Razor

Answer 3

William of Ockham

Question 4

what is Ockhams Razor

Answer 4

stating that given several explanations for a phenomenon, the most simple one should be accepted

Question 5

how come The most simple explanations are easier to falsify/tested than more complex ones

Answer 5

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

Question 6

how were the Braitenberg Vehicles as an example for reverse reductionism

Answer 6

We designed simple systems using sensors, motors, connections between them, and simple linear functions that described define the relationship between sensor and motor

Question 7

The behaviour of the vehicle can be fully described with what four components

Answer 7

????????

Question 8

what is A problem for reductionism

Answer 8

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

Question 9

what are the 4 major features of science

Answer 9

Definable subject matter
Theory construction
Hypothesis testing
Empirical methods

Question 10

what is Definable subject matter

Answer 10

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).

Question 11

what is Theory construction.

Answer 11

A theory represents an attempt to explain observations. For example, behaviourists account for human and non- human behaviour in terms of stimulus-response relationships

Question 12

what is Hypothesis testing.

Answer 12

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

Question 13

what is Empirical methods.

Answer 13

The methods are used to collect the data when testing the hypothesis. The methods need to be valid, objective, and reliable

Question 14

are observations biased or unbiased

Answer 14

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

Question 15

does date = facts

Answer 15

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

Question 16

what do scientific theories and research reflect

Answer 16

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

Question 17

what are the steps to the scientific method

Answer 17

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

Question 18

for the scientific process, what is the classic method: Inductivism

Answer 18

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”

Question 19

what is another name for popper’s suggestion

Answer 19

Falsificationism

Question 20

what is Falsificationism

Answer 20

A statement (hypothesis) that is capable of being refuted is deduced from a theory. Tests are designed to refute the predictions (falsification).

Question 21

what are the 2 branches of the scientific process

Answer 21

Classic Method: Inductivism

Falsificationism (Popper’s suggestion).

Question 22

what is The Kuhn Cycle of Revolutions

Answer 22

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

Question 23

what are the steps to The Kuhn Cycle of Revolutions (paradigm)

Answer 23

preparadigm period, normal science, anomaly, crisis, revolution, new paradigm replaces old and new phase of normal science begins

Question 24

what is in the preparadigm period

Answer 24

contending schools
random fact gathering
no science

Question 25

what is in the normal science

Answer 25

science begins
one paradigm, no schools
puzzle solving research

Question 26

What is in anomaly

Answer 26

important insoluble problem

Question 27

what is in crisis

Answer 27

insecurity
loosening of paradigm restrictions
contending theories
emergence of new paradigm

Question 28

what is in revolution

Answer 28

younger scientists adhere to new paradigm

some older scientists switch allegiance