w1: Intro Philosophy of Psychology & conceptual analysis Flashcards
what is philosophy of psychology ?
Philosophy of psychology examines the nature of psychological phenomena, their explanations, and the methods used in psychological investigation.
It also critically considers the ethics of psychological knowledge and its application, ensuring that decisions include diverse perspectives rather than ignoring or marginalising certain voices.
definition
Ontology
Definition: The study of what exists and the nature of reality.
**Key Questions: **What is reality? What kinds of things exist (e.g., minds, objects, or abstract concepts)?
In psychology, ontology determines how we conceptualise phenomena like the mind, identity, or emotions.
definition
Epistemology
**Definition: **The study of knowledge, including its nature, sources, and how we acquire it.
Key Questions: How can we learn about reality? What methods are valid for making meaning?
In psychology, epistemology shapes how researchers believe phenomena can be understood (e.g., through subjective experiences or objective measures).
definition
Theoretical Perspectives
**Definition: **Frameworks that outline relevant concepts and their interrelations.
These perspectives are value-laden, meaning they are influenced by the researcher’s context and beliefs, shaping what is studied and how findings are interpreted.
definition
methodology
Definition: Practical strategies for conducting research.
Methodologies reflect ontological and epistemological beliefs, determining how psychological phenomena are measured or observed.
Ontology: what exists in the human world that we can aquire knowledge ab
Realism
one reality exists
ontology
Naive Realism
Reality can be uderstood using appropriate methods
The belief that reality exists independently of human perception and is straightforwardly knowable.
ontology
Structural Realism
reality is described by scientific theory, but its underlying nature remains uncertain.
we can only know the structure of the world, not its deeper nature.
ontology
Critcal Realism
It acknowledges that there is a real world independent of our perceptions but emphasises that our understanding of it is always mediated through human interpretation and social constructs.
Critical realism is about recognising that there’s more to reality than what’s immediately observable. It seeks to uncover and critically analyse the underlying systems, structures, and causes that influence events and experiences.
ontology
Relativism
multiple realities exist.
realities exist as multiple intangible mental constructions.
no reality beyond the subject.
ontology
Bounded Relativism
recognising that some aspects of reality are constrained by shared experiences or objective elements.
mental constructions of reality are equal in space and time within boundaries.
epistemology: how do we create knowledge
Objectivism
meaning exists within an object- an objective reality exists in an object independent of the subject
The belief that knowledge and reality can be observed and measured without subjective influence.
This view aligns with positivist approaches in psychology, focusing on empirical and measurable evidence.
epistemology
Constructionism
Definition: Reality exists independently, but meaning is constructed through individual and social interactions.
meaning is created from interplay between the subject and object: subject constructs reality from the object
In psychology, it highlights the relationship between the observer and the observed phenomenon.
Epistemology
Subjectivism
meaning exists with the subject: subject imporse meaning on an object
- there is no reality outside of the subject
Definition: Reality is entirely constructed by individual perspectives, emphasising personal experience as the primary source of knowledge.
Epistemology and Research
If you use any kind of assessment of social phenomenon, then you’re requiring some sort of assumptions of how to make meaning of the world.
- The research method is going to reflect how the researcher believes reality is measured, and what reality is.
ie. if you believe that there is no meaning beyond the subject, then you will not give a close-ended, fixed and standardised questionarire, rather an open-ended one.
meta-ontology definition
The study of the kinds of entities that a psychological theory assumes to exist. It involves examining what sorts of things (e.g., mental states, processes, behaviours) a theory regards as real or necessary for explaining psychological phenomena
The mind is not directly observable but we can conceptualise it.
lacks tangible referent- have to come up with a solution
= concepts
we conceptualise ideas such as identity
Ontological Commitments definition
Assumptions about the existence of constructs like identity or consciousness.
Implicit ontology definition
These are unstated or hidden beliefs about the nature of reality that influence how psychological phenomena are conceptualised, studied, and measured.
ie. A psychologist studying “intelligence” might implicitly assume it is a measurable and stable trait (e.g., IQ tests).
consequences of implicit ontologies
Influence how concepts are measured.
Shape research methodologies.
Affect interpretations and applications of findings.
Introduce biases based on unstated assumptions.
Determine the scope of inquiry.
Tangible and Intangible Referents
Tangible: Concrete, observable phenomena (e.g., behaviour).
Intangible: Abstract constructs (e.g., self-esteem), requiring operationalisation for study.
concept definition
Definition: A concept is a mental representation or an idea that defines or categorises a psychological phenomenon. It is the building block of thought and scientific theory in psychology.
Concepts help describe, explain, and organise phenomena in a way that makes them accessible to research and interpretation.
Example:
The concept of “mind” differs between theories:
In dualism, the mind is distinct from the brain (non-physical entity).
In physicalism, the mind is reducible to brain processes.
This distinction influences how psychologists approach phenomena like consciousness or mental health
conceptualization definition
Conceptualisation is the process of defining, refining, and specifying a concept to make it applicable for theoretical or empirical use. It determines how a concept is understood and measured in psychology.
It involves translating abstract ideas into clear, operational definitions that can guide research and practice.
Example:
The concept of “intelligence” has been conceptualised in different ways:
Traditional IQ tests conceptualise intelligence as measurable through problem-solving and reasoning tasks.
Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences conceptualises intelligence as encompassing diverse abilities, such as musical, interpersonal, and kinesthetic skills.
Operalisation definition
Translating abstract concepts into measurable variables or methods.
involves turning theoretical ideas into specific, practical variables or procedures that can be studied empirically.
Example: The concept of stress might be operationalised as:
Physiological Measures: Cortisol levels in saliva.
Behavioural Indicators: Frequency of errors in a cognitive task.
Self-Report: Responses to a perceived stress questionnaire.
conceptual definitions + operational definitions
Conceptual Definition: Provides a broad, theoretical explanation of a concept.
Operational Definition: Specifies how the concept will be measured or observed in a practical, research setting.
ie.
Example 1: Stress
Conceptual Definition:
Stress is a psychological and physiological response to challenging or threatening situations.
Operational Definition:
Stress is measured by:
Physiological Indicators: Cortisol levels in the saliva.
Behavioural Indicators: The number of errors made in a memory test under time pressure.
Self-Report: Scores on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).
Psychological Interpretation (Schleiermacher)
Understanding external expressions of internal states (e.g., emotions) through empathy and perspective-taking.
- the idea that external petters contain true intentions. to understand these i need psychological interpretation- done through perspective taking and emphathy.
Natural vs Human Science
Natural Sciences: Focus on objectivity, laws, and abstraction (removal of meaning or feelings).
Human Sciences: Emphasise meaning-making, lived experiences, and subjective interpretation.
Objectification
By objectifying a phenomenon, researchers treat it as an external object that can be studied systematically.
This involves defining measurable variables, standardising methods, and removing subjective influences to enhance reliability and reproducibility.
Abstraction in the context of scientific objectification
+ why its needed
The process of removing context or subjective meaning to focus on generalisable elements.
Why Abstraction is Needed:
Psychological phenomena, such as emotions, behaviours, or cognitive processes, are deeply personal and context-dependent.
Abstraction allows researchers to move beyond individual differences and focus on universal patterns or mechanisms.
Hermeneutics
Hermeneutics is the philosophical study of interpretation, particularly focused on understanding meaning in texts, actions, or experiences.
’ how do we know something that can’t be directly observed by us?’
Hermeutics Circle
The hermeneutic circle is a core concept in hermeutics, describing the dynamic process of understanding:
To understand the whole, we must interpret its parts.
But to interpret the parts, we need to understand the context of the whole.
This circular process highlights the iterative nature of meaning-making.
ie. in psychology
the whole: therapist seeks to understand the overarching narrative of a client’s life
the parts: The therapist examines individual events, such as a traumatic childhood memory, a career setback, or a relationship conflict.
However, the meaning of these events (the parts) depends on how they fit into the client’s broader life narrative (the whole).
circle:They explore specific memories (parts) to better understand the client’s life narrative.
Simultaneously, they use the broader life context (whole) to interpret the significance of those memories.
This iterative process deepens understanding over time.
Hermeneutics:Lived,Experience,Expression,Interpretation
hermeneutics examines how human experiences are lived, expressed, and interpreted in a specific context. It emphasises understanding the subjective meaning of experiences rather than reducing them to objective data.
Lived Experience:
Definition: The raw, subjective experience of an individual.
ie. A person’s lived experience of grief might include feelings of sadness, anger,
Expression:
Definition: How the individual communicates or externalises their grief, verbally or non-verbally.
ie. crying for a grieving indiv.
Interpretation:
Definition: The process of understanding the meaning of the lived experience and its expression, both by the individual and others
ie.he meaning of grief in a culture that values communal mourning will differ from one where grieving is seen as a private, internal process.
Epistemological Subject
The epistemological subject refers to the individual as a knower—someone whose unique perspective, experiences, and cognitive processes shape how they perceive, interpret, and understand reality.
concept highlights the subjective nature of knowledge acquisition and the interplay between personal experiences and the external world.
constructivist perspective.
Subject vs. Object in Hermeneutics
In hermeneutics, the subject and object represent two key roles in the process of interpretation:
Subject: The experiencer or interpreter—someone actively seeking to understand.
Object: The phenomenon, text, or experience being interpreted or understood.
ie.
The Subject:
The therapist acts as the subject, interpreting the client’s narratives, behaviours, and emotions.
The Object:
The client’s trauma and its expression (e.g., stories, behaviours, physiological responses) are the object of interpretation.
Hermeneutics: Dialogical Stance/Dialectic
dialogical stance refers to the idea that interpretation occurs through a dialogue or exchange between different perspectives. It views understanding as an ongoing, dynamic process where meaning emerges from the interaction of viewpoints.
The dialectic involves reconciling tensions or contradictions between perspectives to arrive at a deeper understanding.
ie.
the dialogue: Therapist and the client engage in a dialogue where each brings their own perspective
- client shares their feelings and problems
dialetic: therapist’s and client’s perspectives interact and influence each other
- therapist might challenge the clients self perception
- client, in turn, might resist, refine, or accept this interpretation, contributing their own insights and reshaping the understanding of their situation.
Nomothetic vs. Idiographic Aim
these approaches describe two contrasting ways of understanding human behaviour and mental processes:
**Nomothetic: **Seeks universal laws or general principles that apply across individuals.
- Aims to discover universal psychological principles that explain behaviour across large populations.’
Idiographic: Focuses on the unique, subjective experiences of individuals, often rejecting broad generalisations.
- Focuses on the depth and detail of individual cases, exploring subjective experiences in their unique context.
Hermeneutic Ontology
Hermeneutic ontology focuses on understanding human existence (“being”) through interpretation. It posits that meaning does not exist independently but emerges from the interaction between the individual and their context (social, cultural, historical).
ie.
What does it mean to “be” oneself?
Hermeneutic ontology approaches this question by exploring how individuals interpret and construct their sense of identity in relation to their life context.
