CH1-2: Introduction to TOP and Sigmund Freud

• A scientific theory is a set of related assumptions that allows scientists to use logical deductive reasoning to formulate testable hypotheses.
• Philosophy deals with what ought to be or what should be; theory does not.
• Theory is not a speculation. They are closely tied to empirically gathered data and to science.
• A hypothesis is an educated guess or prediction specific enough for its validity to be tested through the use of the scientific method. A theory is too general to lend itself to direct verification, but a single comprehensive theory is capable of generating thousands of hypotheses.
• Taxonomies are essential for the development of science because without classification of data science could not grow. Mere classification, however, does not constitute a theory.
• Psychodynamic - first 5 years, unconscious, Freud Adler Jung Klein Horney Erikson Fromm
• Humanistic-Existential - People strive to live meaningful, happy lives. People are motivated by growth and psychological health. Personality is shaped by freedom of choice. Maslow Rogers May
• Dispositional People are predisposed to behave in unique and consistent ways; they have unique traits. There are five trait dimensions in human personality. Allport McCrae & Costa
• Criterion of a useful theory: generates research, falsifiable, organizes data, guides action, is internally consistent, parsimonious.
• The reliability of a measuring instrument is the extent to which it yields consistent results.
• Validity is the degree to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure.