Philosophy of Science in Psychology

A branch of philosophy focused on the theory of knowledge: How we know what we know, the reliability of knowledge, and the nature of truth.

The study of the mind and behavior, encompassing various approaches, methods, and applications.

A specific type of psychology conducted in research institutions, universities, and colleges, focused on generating and testing new knowledge.

A practical application of psychological knowledge to real-life problems, using research-based principles to improve mental health, relationships, or work performance.

The popular understanding of psychology as it exists in the public sphere - through media, self-help books, and common beliefs.

A scientific approach that emphasizes the importance of falsifiability - testing a hypothesis by seeking evidence that could disprove it. If a theory can't be potentially falsified, it's not a scientific claim.

A critical moment in the development of a scientific discipline when existing paradigms (assumptions, theories) are replaced with fundamentally new ones.

Series of interconnected theories in a given area of research that build upon one another, adding new insights and refinements to previously successful concepts.

The process of drawing general conclusions from specific observations. It's about finding patterns from examples. Think about observing many white swans and concluding that all swans are white.

The process of applying a general rule to a specific situation. It's about using established facts to reach a certain conclusion. Think about using the rule that all swans are white to conclude that a specific swan is white.

A shared set of beliefs, assumptions, and methods that define what counts as valid scientific knowledge within a particular field. Think of a common language and set of tools.

A period where scientists work within a specific accepted paradigm, focusing on solving puzzles and refining existing theories. Think of a puzzle where the rules are clear and the goal is to fit pieces together

A shared set of beliefs, theories, and methods used by scientists in a particular field to understand the world.

An unexplained observation or event that challenges the existing paradigm.

A dramatic shift in scientific understanding, where a new paradigm replaces the old one.

A process where scientists systematically analyze and critically evaluate scientific research programs to determine their merit and direction.

A collection of theories, methods, and assumptions that form a coherent framework for scientific inquiry.

A scientific concept or model that has been repeatedly tested and validated.

The problem of distinguishing genuine scientific claims from those that are not scientific.

A theory or claim can never be definitively proven true, but it can be shown to be false through experimental evidence.

The principle of equivalence suggests that gravity and acceleration are indistinguishable. It implies that light, which possesses energy, should be affected by gravity.

The bending of light as it passes near a massive object like the Sun, due to the curvature of spacetime.

The test conducted during the 1919 solar eclipse, which aimed to measure the deflection of starlight as it passed near the Sun, verifying Einstein's prediction of gravitational lensing.

The theory that light has no mass and is unaffected by gravity.

The amount by which light is deflected due to gravity. It is measured in arcseconds.

A philosophy of science that argues that science progresses through competing research programs, each with its own set of assumptions and methods. Programs are judged by their ability to make novel predictions, rather than simply being proven or disproven. This perspective is a middle ground between strict falsificationism (Popper) and strong historicism (Kuhn).

A principle in Lakatos's philosophy of science, where a research program is considered 'progressive' if it makes novel predictions that are later confirmed by empirical evidence. These successful predictions enhance the program's explanatory power and provide support for its underlying assumptions.

A philosophy of science that rejects the idea of universal, unchanging methodological rules in science. It argues that scientific progress is a messy and diverse process, influenced by social and historical factors. This perspective emphasizes the value of creativity and pluralism in scientific exploration.

A concept in Feyerabend's philosophy of science that emphasizes the value of scientific diversity and encourages the use of various methods and approaches, even seemingly unorthodox ones. This approach is often contrasted with traditional scientific methods that emphasize rigor and objectivity.

The rejection of a fixed set of rules or a single, universal method for conducting scientific research. This viewpoint suggests that scientific progress is not limited to a specific methodology but can be achieved through various approaches, even seemingly unconventional ones.

Anomalies are unexpected or inconsistent observations that challenge the existing scientific framework or theory. They are often the starting point for scientific revolutions, as scientists try to explain them.

Young scientists are often the ones who challenge established theories, proposing new interpretations and pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge. They are less likely to be wedded to existing paradigms.

The idea that there are no universal methodological rules in science, advocating for pluralism and creativity in scientific discovery. This means that scientists should be free to use any methods they think are appropriate to solve problems.

The discovery of oxygen and the chemical revolution by Lavoisier is an example of a paradigm shift, overturning the phlogiston theory and changing the way scientists thought about combustion.

The replacement of classical physics by quantum mechanics is a major example of a paradigm shift in science, introducing new concepts about the nature of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels.