PSYC39H3 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Cesare Beccaria, Behavioural Sciences, Reductionism
Document Summary
Oct 22 at 9-11am room: worth 50% on weeks 1-5. Research on if psychology studies were replicable if the(cid:455) a(cid:396)e(cid:374)"t (cid:396)epli(cid:272)a(cid:271)le the (cid:272)o(cid:374)(cid:272)lusio(cid:374)s (cid:373)ade do(cid:374)"t (cid:373)atte(cid:396). This could be impacted by many factors (example having a high-order interaction makes it difficult to interpret interactions) 4 requirements are needed in order to be considered science: natural law: must study phenomena reflecting natural order in the universe. Science developed this type of language to explain phenomena. Inter-science consistency: all sciences are interconnected the different levels of science mesh linguistically with levels above and below them: empirical testing: using empirical methods to validate theories. This is how knowledge is refined and advanced. Many areas of psychology empirically study behaviours that result from human convention without recourse to examining the underlying information processing. Most studies are descriptive, but they are not amenable to evaluating at more fundamental levels and do not meet criteria for science. Pro(cid:271)le(cid:373)s (cid:449)ith psy(cid:272)hology"s curre(cid:374)t status as a science.
