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Questions and Answers
What is the primary criterion of science according to Popper?
What is the primary criterion of science according to Popper?
Which of the following statements is an example of a metaphysical claim?
Which of the following statements is an example of a metaphysical claim?
What is the primary purpose of gathering experimental data in psychology?
What is the primary purpose of gathering experimental data in psychology?
Which of the following is a characteristic of inductive reasoning?
Which of the following is a characteristic of inductive reasoning?
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What is the primary reason why psychology is considered a science?
What is the primary reason why psychology is considered a science?
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What is the primary criterion for a scientific theory according to Popper's proposal?
What is the primary criterion for a scientific theory according to Popper's proposal?
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What is the primary distinction between Cartesian dualism and empirical assumptions in psychology?
What is the primary distinction between Cartesian dualism and empirical assumptions in psychology?
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What is the primary difference between inductive and deductive reasoning in scientific inquiry?
What is the primary difference between inductive and deductive reasoning in scientific inquiry?
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Why is psychology considered a science according to the text?
Why is psychology considered a science according to the text?
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What is the primary role of parsimony in scientific theory development?
What is the primary role of parsimony in scientific theory development?
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What is the primary goal of scientists in the falsificationism approach?
What is the primary goal of scientists in the falsificationism approach?
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What is the key difference between inductive and deductive reasoning in science?
What is the key difference between inductive and deductive reasoning in science?
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What is the status of scientific knowledge according to Popper's falsificationism?
What is the status of scientific knowledge according to Popper's falsificationism?
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What is the first step in the Scientific Method as described by Sir Francis Bacon?
What is the first step in the Scientific Method as described by Sir Francis Bacon?
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Does psychology fulfill the criteria for a science according to the definition provided by the Science Council?
Does psychology fulfill the criteria for a science according to the definition provided by the Science Council?
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Study Notes
Falsifiability in Science
- A crucial criterion of science is that it meets the criterion of falsifiability, as proposed by Popper (1950).
- An academic discipline is considered a science if it has hypotheses that can be falsified through observation.
- A statement is scientific if it can be shown to be false through observation, whereas a metaphysical statement cannot be falsified.
Psychology as a Science
- Psychology is considered a science because its hypotheses are falsifiable, and tested by gathering experimental data.
- Philosophical assumptions underlying psychology include empiricism, measurability, parsimony, falsifiability, and nonexistence of proof.
Historical Context
- Cartesian dualism, proposed by Descartes, posits that the mind and body are distinct entities.
- Induction, a form of logical reasoning, involves collecting facts to induce a general law.
- Deduction, an alternative approach, starts with a hypothesis and tests its predictions through observational data.
Falsificationism
- Popper (1950) proposed falsificationism as a scientific method, which involves starting with a hypothesis and testing its predictions.
- Falsificationism is based on the logic of deduction rather than induction.
- A theory cannot be scientific unless it can be proven false.
The Scientific Method
- The Scientific Method was first described by Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626) to provide a framework for logical, rational problem solving in science.
- The basic steps of the Scientific Method include making an observation, forming a hypothesis, testing predictions, and drawing conclusions.
Conclusion
- Psychology meets the criteria for a science as it uses falsifiable hypotheses and bases knowledge on observational data.
- The Science Council defines science as the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following a systematic methodology based on evidence.
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Description
Test your understanding of Karl Popper's concept of falsifiability and its significance in distinguishing scientific theories from metaphysical statements. Explore how this criterion applies to academic disciplines and hypotheses.
