PSYC 102 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: External Validity, Dependent And Independent Variables, Case Method
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PSYC 102 Full Course Notes
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Empiricism (from empeirikos, meaning experience , the heart of scientific method) The belief that accurate knowledge can be acquired through observation. Can be verified by observation or experience rather than just theory or pure logic. Requires empirical method, which is a set of rules and techniques for observation. Empirical challenges for psychology method : complexity, variability and reactivity. A procedure for finding truth by using empirical evidence. When we have an idea about the world, we should gather evidence relevant to that idea and modify the idea to fit the evidence. The idea is known as a theory by scientists, which is a hypothetical explanation of a natural phenomenon. Scientists generally follow the rule of parsimony i. e. simplest theory that explains all the evidences is the best one. A hypothesis is usually a should statement , which is a falsifiable prediction made by a theory. A description of a property in concrete measurable terms.
