Unit 1 - Chapter 1 - Nature of Scientific Progress

Question 0

What are nonempirical methods of learning about behaviour?

Answer 0

1. Authority

2. Logic

Question 1

What are the ways of learning about human and animal behaviour?

Answer 1

1. Empirical methods

2. Non-empirical methods

Question 2

Characteristics of authority learning about behaviour

Answer 2

1. Learning about something because someone in authority, or with authority has told us its true
2. We can question the truth of authority as authorities can disagree between themselves

Question 3

Characteristics of logic learning about behaviour

Answer 3

1. Logic has limitations as a way of knowing

2. A statement can be logically valid and still not be true

Question 4

What are empirical methods of learning about behaviour?

Answer 4

Empirical —} based on evidence

1. Intuition —} Spontaneous perception or judgment not based on reasoned mental steps
2. Science —} A way of obtaining knowledge by means of objective observations

Question 5

Limitations of common sense

Answer 5

1. Standards of common sense differ from time to time and from place to place according to the attitudes and experiences of the culture
2. The only criterion common sense recognizes for judging the truth of a belief or practice, is whether it works
3. Common sense cannot predict new knowledge

Question 6

Counterintuitive

Answer 6

Something that goes against common sense

Question 7

What are the four objectives of science?

Answer 7

1. Description
2. Explanation
3. Prediction
4. Control

Question 8

What does the scientific method represent?

Answer 8

1. Logic of inquiry

2. Specific system of rules and conventions to be followed to solve problems

Question 9

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Answer 9

1. Problem identification
2. Hypothesis formulation
3. Research design
4. Data collection
5. Data analysis
6. Communication of results

Question 10

Apart from the scientific method, what are other approaches to acquiring knowledge?

Answer 10

1. Intuition
2. Authority
3. Rationalism (logical reasoning)
4. Empiricism

Question 11

What is intuition?

Answer 11

A way of knowing based on “gut feeling” or hunches.

Question 12

What is authority?

Answer 12

The acceptance of a new idea when an authority figure tells us so.

Question 13

What is rationalism?

Answer 13

Rationalism uses logical reasoning to understand our world and to solve problems.

Question 14

What is empiricism?

Answer 14

Empiricism relies on direct sensory experience as a way of knowing.

Question 15

Why is science superior to intuition, authority, rationalism, or empiricism?

Answer 15

Science is superior to these approaches in that it can be used to test knowledge acquired through intuition or common sense. Although logical reasoning and direct sensory experience are both necessary for science, they are not sufficient in and of themselves.