Psychology 9-10 Flashcards
Define instrumentalism
A pragmatic philosophical approach which regards an activity chiefly as an instrument or tool for some practical purpose, rather than in more absolute or ideal terms.
Define operationalism
Creating arbitrary ways of creating meaning
Define idealism
Experience of reality is ultimately based on mental activity (perception)
Define realism
Something external has an apparent absolute existence
Define materialism
Ultimate nature of reality based on physical substance
What did Karl Popper suggest?
Popper suggested instead of verification, he would promote falsification. Trying to establish the difference between science and pseudo-science.
If T, then P.
Not P.
Therefore, not T.
What was Meehl’s criticism of falsification?
Meehl would say: If Hypothesis, Auxiliary H and Conditions, then Predictions. If not P. Therefore, not H. A. C.
Fallacy of asserting the consequent.
What is Kuhn’s account of science?
Pre-science -> normal/paradigmatic science -> crisis/revolution -> new paradigm -> new crisis
Define incommensurable
Not able to be judged by the same standard; having no common standard of measurement.
Key features of Kuhn’s account
Paradigms are incommensurable; paradigm shifts do not involve an accumulation of knowledge; there is only progress within the paradigm, not across paradigms; paradigm shifts are driven by social, political and psychological forces, not by rationality.
Define epistemological relativism
The view that knowledge is relative - to time, place, to society, to culture, to historical epoch, to personal conviction - in that what counts as knowledge depends upon the value of one or more of these variables.
Define demarcation
The action of fixing the boundary or limits of something (a dividing line).
A criterion for distinguishing between science and pseudoscience.
