features of science

• Who suggested that scientific disciplines are defined by paradigms?

  Thomas Kuhn
• What distinguishes scientific disciplines from non-scientific ones according to Kuhn?

  A shared set of assumptions and methods
• How does Kuhn view social sciences like psychology?

  As lacking a universally accepted paradigm
• What characterizes natural sciences according to Kuhn?

  Having core principles like evolution
• Why does Kuhn classify psychology as a pre-science?

  Due to internal disagreement and conflicting approaches
• What triggers progress within an established science according to Kuhn?

  A scientific revolution
• What happens when a handful of researchers question the accepted paradigm?

  A paradigm shift may occur
• What is an example of a paradigm shift cited by Kuhn?

  The shift from Newtonian physics to relativity
• What is a theory in scientific terms?

  A set of general laws or principles
• How does theory construction occur?

  Through gathering evidence via direct observation
• What observation might lead to a theory about short-term memory capacity?

  People struggle to remember much information
• What is Berry's Law related to?

  The average short-term memory span
• What does a good theory provide according to the text?

  Understanding by explaining regularities in behavior
• What role does hypothesis testing play in relation to theories?

  It allows for clear and precise predictions
• What must a theory suggest according to the text?

  A number of possible hypotheses
• What happens if a hypothesis is supported?

  The theory will be strengthened
• What is deduction in the context of theories?

  Deriving new hypotheses from an existing theory
• What is the key criterion of a scientific theory according to Popper?

  Falsifiability
• What does Popper suggest about scientific principles?

  They can be proven false
• How does Popper differentiate between good science and pseudoscience?

  Good science is constantly challenged
• Why is Freud's theory of personality considered questionable?

  It cannot be proven wrong
• What do psychologists avoid saying in their research?

  This proves
• What is replicability in scientific research?

  The ability to repeat findings across contexts
• How does replication contribute to scientific validity?

  It assesses the generalizability of findings
• What must psychologists do for replicability to be possible?

  Report investigations with precision and rigor
• What is the basis of the empirical method?

  Objectivity in data collection
• What does the term 'empiricism' derive from?

  The Greek word for 'experience'
• What do empirical methods emphasize?

  The importance of direct sensory experience
• Who saw knowledge as determined only by experience?

  John Locke
• What must a theory do to be considered scientific?

  Be empirically tested and verified