PSYA01H3 Chapter Notes -Scientific Literacy, Anthropomorphism, Critical Thinking
Document Summary
Scientific theories generate hypotheses, which are specific and testable predictions. If a hypothesis is confirmed, a new hypothesis may stem from it and the original receives added support. If the hypothesis is rejected, the original may be modifies and retested or the original theory may be modified and retested. What do we know about this? (knowledge gathering) Can we critically evaluate the evidence? (critical thinking) Critical thinking involves exercising curiosity and skeptism when evaluating the claims of others and with our own assumptions and beliefs. Critical thinking steps: being curious, examining evidence, examining assumptions and biases, avoiding emotional thinking, tolerating ambiguous, considering alternative viewpoints. The term theory is often used very casually, which has led to some persistent and erroneous beliefs that many people have about scientific theories. Theories are not the same as opinions or beliefs. A measure of a good theory is not the number of people who believe it to be true.
