M1L2: Sources of Knowledge Flashcards
acquiring knowledge that is based on subjective feelings, interpreting random events as nonrandom events, or believing in magical events
Superstition
we have knowledge of something without being consciously aware of where the knowledge came from
Intuition
“gut feeling”
Intuition
Superstitious beliefs are based on observation or hypothesis testing. They represent a means of gaining knowledge that is reliable and valid.
False
Sometimes we intuit something based not on a “gut feeling” but on events we have observed.
Thus, events may be misinterpreted and not representative of all events in that category.
True
When we accept what a respected or famous person tells us, we are gaining knowledge via _________.
Authority
Acquired knowledge from parents and teachers.
*You did not question
*Believed them to be knowledgeable
*At times blindly accepting what they said as truth
Authority
Most people tend to accept information imparted by those they view as authority figures.
True
involves hearing a piece of information so often that you begin to believe it is true, and then, despite evidence to the contrary, you cling stubbornly to the belief
Tenacity
The method used in campaigns and advertisements where a slogan is repeated so often that we begin to believe it.
Tenacity
The problem with gaining knowledge through tenacity is that we know their claims are true
False. We do not know whether the claims are true.
The accuracy of knowledge via tenacity may not have been evaluated in any valid way
True
involves logical reasoning
Rationalism
With this approach, ideas are precisely stated, and logical rules are applied to arrive at logically sound conclusion.
Rationalism
Rational ideas are often presented in the form of a _________.
syllogism
Logic deals with only the form of the syllogism and not its content. Obviously, researchers are interested in both form and content.
True
involves gaining knowledge through objective observation and the experiences of your senses
Empiricism
A person who gains knowledge by seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching.
Empiricist
Empiricism alone is enough.
False
Empiricism represents a collection of facts.
True
For these facts to be useful, we need to organize them, think about them, draw meaning from them, and use them to make predictions.
True
involves a merger of rationalism and empiricism
Science
Scientists collect data (make empirical observations) and test hypotheses with these data (assess them using rationalism).
True
A hypothesis is a prediction regarding the outcome of a study. This prediction concerns the potential relationship between at least two variables (a variable is an event or behavior that has at least two values)
True
Hypotheses are stated in such a way that they are not testable.
False
By merging rationalism and empiricism, we have the disadvantage of using a logical argument based on observation.
False
We may find that our hypothesis is not supported, and thus we must reevaluate our position. On the other hand, our observations may support the hypothesis being tested.
True
In science, the goal of testing hypotheses is to arrive at or test a theory—an organized system of assumptions and principles that attempts to explain certain phenomena and how they are related.
True
Theories do not help us to organize and explain the data gathered in research studies.
In other words, theories do not allow us to develop a framework regarding the facts in a certain area.
False
