PSYC 2110 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Natural Selection, Organismic Theory, Jean Piaget
1 Nov 2016
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Document Summary
Theory - a set of concepts and propositions designed to organize, describe, and explain an existing set of observations. Parsimony - a criterion for evaluating the scientific merit of theories. A parsimonious theory is one that uses relatively few explanatory principles to explain a broad set of observations. Should be concise or parsimonious and yet able to explain a broad range of phenomena. Falsifiability - a criterion for evaluating the scientific merit of theories. A theory is falsifiable when it is capable of generating predictions that could be disconfirmed. Capable of making explicit predictions about future events so that the theory can be supported or disconfirmed. Heuristic value - a criterion for evaluating the scientific merit of theories. A heuristic theory is one that continues to stimulate new research and discoveries. Meaning that they build on existing knowledge which leads to a richer understanding of a phenomena.
