T3 Slide W1 Flashcards
Why do we need the Scientific Method? (5)
Human Judgement is not reliable. We rely heavily on techniques such as:
- Intuition
- Heuristics/Biases
- Perception vs Reality
- Human Observation
- Reliance on Authority
How do Psychologists know things?
Use the Scientific Method to observe and measure reliably
What are some non-science ways of knowing?
- Intuition
- Heuristics/Biases
- Perception vs Reality
- Human Observation
- Reliance on Authority
Why do we not trust human Judgement?
Human Judgement is not reliable and humans are fallible.
Non Science ways of knowing (5)
- Tenacity
- Intuition
- Authority
- Rationalism
- Empiricism
Explain Psychology and Research
In order to study the mind scientifically we need to develop agreed upon methods for acquiring knowledge.
We use the Scientific Method to ensure this as best we can
Brain in a Vat Scenario
- A scenario where a “mad Scientist” puts a brain in a jar and sustains it’s life force
- The brain is attached to a computer and is able to think and feel normally
- The brain believes it is real and alive. It does not know it is merely a simulation
- Do we even need a body? Is our body real?
Tenacity
Acquiring Knowledge through superstition and or habit
Intuition
Acquiring Knowledge that is not based on reason or logic
Reliance on Authority
Accepting information because it is from a respected source or authority
Rationalism
Acquisition of knowledge through reasoning
Empiricism
Acquiring knowledge through experience
What do we accept as evidence of truth?
- Science is based on evidence
- Evidence must be reproducible
- Objective evidence requires an objective process
Goals of Science (4)
- Describe
- Predict
- Determine Cause
- Explain
What is good scientific Research? (8)
- Based on the work of others
- can be replicated
- Is generalisable to other settings
- Is based on some logical rationale and tied to theory
- Is doable
- Generates new questions
- Is incremental
- Is an apolitical activity