PSYA01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-2: Psychological Science, Scientific Method, Statistical Hypothesis Testing
Document Summary
A testable prediction about process that can be observed and measured. Can be supported or rejected (don"t have to prove it) Specific predictions that can test the theory, or specific parts of the theory: astrology is not a science. Astrologer doesn"t want to test out their hypotheses. Pseudoscience = and idea that is presented as science but does not actually utilize basic principles of scientific thinking or procedure: theories: explaining phenomena, theory. An explanation for a broad range of observations that also generates new hypotheses and integrates numerous findings into a coherent whole. General principles or explanations of some aspect of the world. Built from hypotheses that are repeatedly tested and confirmed. Good theories often eventually become accepted explanations of behaviour or other phenomena. Can be proved false with new evidence. The process helps to ensure that science is self-correcting: clarification of common issues, theories are not the same thing as opinions or beliefs, all theories are not equally plausible.
