Science Flashcards
What is scientific theory?
A theory constructed to explain and predict phenomenon.
What is the process of the scientific method?
- Observe
- Question
- Hypotheses
- Testing
- Acceptance, rejection, or modification of a theory
Define critical thinking
A set of skills that allow us to evaluate claims in a scientific, open-minded fashion.
What are the five norms of science?
- Universalism
- Communalism
- Dis-interestedness
- Organised Scepticism
- Novelty
Define universalism
The attributes of the researcher are irrelevant, different researchers should reach the same conclusion
Define communalism
Scientific information must be shared publically
Define dis-interestedness
Scientists must place aside all personal beliefs
Define organised scepticism
Science should be subject to peer review and replication
Define novelty
Science should not just be repetition
What are the six principles of critical thinking?
- Extraordinary claims
- Testability
- Occam’s razor
- Replicability
- Ruling out rival hypotheses
- Correlation is not causation
Explain extraordinary claims
The more a claim predicts what we already know, the more persuasive the evidence for this claim must be (e.g. alien abduction; big claim needs persuasive evidence).
Explain testability
A genuinely informative theory will predict specific outcomes and does not try to explain everything. A sound scientific theory will make novel predictions. Scientific theories must be testable.
Explain Occam’s razor
The simplest explanation is often the one which also accounts for the most information
Explain replicability
The findings of a study are able to be duplicated consistently. Replication increases confidence in findings.
Explain ruling out rival hypotheses
Scientists cannot accept findings at face value, especially if they are in line with the proposed theory. Obliged to challenge and consider other accounts.
Explain correlation is not causation
Correlation does not imply causation. Causation can only be established via experimentation.
What are heuristics?
Strategies that use readily accessible information when a quick decision is required or there is limited information available.
What are examples of heuristics?
- Conjunction fallacy
- Confirmation bias
- Illusory correlation
- Self-fulfilling prophecy
- Fundamental attribution error
- Self-serving bias
- Availability/Vividness effect
- Representativeness
Describe conjunction fallacy
Occurs when it is assumed that specific conditions are most probable than a single general one
Describe confirmation bias
Occurs when we favour information that confirms our own beliefs. The default reaction is to look for information consistent with our presupposition.
Describe illusory correlation
Perceiving a relationship when one does not exist. Forms the basis of many stereotypes.
Describe self-fulfilling prophecy
A belief or expectation that an individual holds about a future event that manifests because the individual holds it.
Describe fundamental attribution error
The tendency to over-value dispositional or personality (internal) based explanations for observed behaviours.
Describe self-serving bias
The tendency to attribute events incorrectly, often taking personal credit for positive outcomes and blaming negative outcomes on external events.
Describe the availability heuristic
Predict the frequency of an event based on how easily an example can be provided. If something can be recalled, it must be important or more likely to be true.
Describe the representativeness heuristic
The tendency to judge the probability of a hypothesis based on how much the hypothesis resembles available data.
Describe belief perseverance
The tendency to stick to our beliefs even when there is no evidence to support them.
