HOW TO DECIDE BEFORE A SCIENCE

S.B. – 1
Introduction and Table of Contents

as of 1/26/18

Psychology, as the term is used in this text, will be defined as a science of behavior. We will study behavior in the manner in which one scientifically investigates anything, e.g. biology. Science is defined as the study of “what is.” As we progress you will see this position not only allows us to study the “entire person,” but it is the most objective approach available today to find out what makes a person behave the way he/she does.

1-1. Define psychology as the term is used in this unit: ___

Answer. (a science of behavior)

1-2. Define science as the term is used here: __

Answer. (the study of what is)

The definition of science has been expanded at times. These more expansive definitions reference the same procedures found in our definition, “The study of what is,” for example

ONE: Science is the attempt to observe, describe, predict, and control the relationships that occur among natural events.

TWO: Science is a body of organized facts about events in nature, facts that have been gathered by systematic observation.

At times, science is pictured as a plot invented by some strange people wearing white lab coats in a laboratory with many high-tech gadgets, e.g. a Frankenstein’s monster image, or a cold, calculating person who finds things bad for humans.

In reality, when solutions to daily life problems become oriented in a scientific direction, one no longer is lost in how to confront an overwhelming situation. A scientific approach to psychology may be used for the improvement of one’s personal relations and other endeavors.

One’s willingness to accept a scientific finding should be based on the degree that it was attained through use of the characteristics of science, such as those listed in the table of contents. In this set of materials each of these characteristics will be developed more extensively. The mnemonic (or memory device) we will use to help you bring your verbal behavior about science under more effective control is listed below:

HOW TO DECIDE BEFORE A SCIENCE?

Table of Contents

Topic –  Unit #

Introduction and Table of Contents 1

Honesty in Inquiry 2
Observation as a Base of all Science 3
What Questions, Not Why Questions 4

REVIEW TEST 5

Theory 6
Objective Definitions in Science 7

Doubt, Debunking, Questioning, or Skepticism 8
Empiricism – Look and See 9
Control of Variables 10
Inquiry, Not Authoritative Proclamation 11
Determinism/Lawfulness/Functional Relationship 12
Experimental Method 13

REVIEW TEST 14

Behavior, the Subject Matter 15
Experimental Data/Correlational Data 16
Functional Relations, the Goal of Science 17
Occam’s Razor or Law of Parsimony – a Useful Guide 18
Replication, a Must (a self correction factor) 19
Evaluative Techniques Based on Objective Measurement 20

REVIEW TEST 21

Amorality Principle in Science (different from no morals) 22

System Important 23
Comparative Studies Valued 24
Irrelevant Questions in Science 25
Empty Organism (the value of questions) 26
Nature is Found By Science 27
Cumulative Progress 28
Explanation of Common Sense (nothing common in common sense) 29
? – Is the Question Answered? 30