PSY-2012 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Scientific Theory, Pseudoscience, Confirmation Bias
Document Summary
Common sense should serve as a generator for hypotheses which can then be tested. We approach the world scientifically by approaching the world with curious skepticism: what, how, show me. Scientific method : a self correcting set of activities involving observation, question-generation, consideration of data, and reporting. The scientific method: 1) make observation/form a research question, 2) state a clear theory, 3) form hypotheses, 4) make observations or measurements, 5) draw conclusions/ evaluate the theory, 6) share the results. Layman"s theory- an unproven assumption: guess or hunch. Scientific theory- well sustained explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is acquired through the scientific method, and confirmed through testing (explains through an integrated set of principles, organizes observations, and predicts behaviors or events) Theory- rule of reciprocity: social rule that we should repay acts toward us (such as favors) in kind (ex: people compliment you and you feel you should compliment them -> compulsion to reciprocate)
