Philosophy of Science (PSYC375 - Wk1)

What is empiricism?

Knowledge gained through observation and evidence.

What is rationalism?

Knowledge gained through logic and reasoning.

How does psychology gain scientific knowledge?

By combining empiricism and rationalism.

What is falsifiability?

A theory must be capable of being proven wrong.

Who proposed falsifiability?

Karl Popper.

Why is falsifiability important?

It prevents accepting theories that cannot be tested.

What is science?

A system for acquiring verifiable knowledge.

What is the purpose of research methods?

To answer questions systematically and reduce bias.

What is intuition?

Judgments made without conscious reasoning.

Why can intuition be unreliable?

It relies on mental shortcuts that can create bias.

What is the availability heuristic?

Judging likelihood by how easily examples come to mind.

What is the representativeness heuristic?

Judging based on similarity to a stereotype.

What is confirmation bias?

Seeking evidence that supports existing beliefs.

What is the bias blind spot?

Believing others are more biased than yourself.

Why is authority not always reliable?

Authority does not necessarily equal expertise.

What is the difference between authority and expertise?

Authority is status or power; expertise is specialised knowledge.

What are research methods?

Techniques for collecting, analysing, and interpreting data.

What are the main stages of the research process?

Objectives, design and measurement, data analysis, conclusions.

What is the Physics Model?

A scientific model that assumes reality exists and can be studied objectively.

What is realist ontology?

The belief that an external reality exists independently of us.

What is scientific epistemology?

The belief that science can be used to understand reality.

How is knowledge obtained in the Physics Model?

Through empiricism and rationalism.

What is determinism?

The idea that all events have causes.

How does the Physics Model view humans?

As part of nature and subject to natural laws.

What is a stochastic science?

A science where outcomes involve probability and multiple causes.

What is a nomothetic orientation?

Seeking general laws that apply broadly.

Why are scientific theories tentative?

They can change when new evidence emerges.

What is Popper's Regulative Ideal?

The idea that science moves closer to truth over time.

What is ontology?

The study of what exists.

What is epistemology?

The study of how knowledge is acquired.

What philosophical question is raised by realist ontology?

Does an objective reality exist?

What philosophical question is raised by scientific epistemology?

Can we truly know reality?

Why are values in science debated?

Researchers' values may influence research and interpretation.

What is social constructionism?

The view that reality and knowledge are shaped by society and culture.

How does social constructionism differ from the Physics Model?

It emphasises socially constructed meanings rather than objective reality.

What are Indigenous psychologies?

Psychological approaches based on Indigenous knowledge and worldviews.

Why are Indigenous psychologies important?

They recognise alternative ways of understanding behaviour and wellbeing.

Are scientific methods value-free?

No, they reflect cultural and historical assumptions.

How can culture influence psychological research?

It affects research questions, methods, and interpretations.

Why is biculturalism important in Aotearoa psychology?

It incorporates both Māori and Western perspectives.

Empiricism

Knowledge through observation.

Rationalism

Knowledge through reasoning.

Falsifiability

A theory can be disproven.

Ontology

What exists?

Epistemology

How do we know?

Determinism

Everything has a cause.

Nomothetic

General laws and principles.

Confirmation bias

Favouring supporting evidence.

Realist ontology

Reality exists independently of observers.

Social constructionism

Reality is shaped by culture and social interaction.