| Description |
1 online resource (196 pages) : illustrations |
| Contents |
Cover; Title; Copyright; Contents; Preface; PART 1 The characteristics of scientific explanation and its application to psychology; 1 The defining characteristic of science; Test your understanding of Chapter 1; 2 The structure of scientific explanation: the Standard View; The Standard View; Observation statements; Statements that assert laws; Testing laws; Theoretical statements; Testing theories; More on testing theories; Criteria used in deciding between theories; Test your understanding of Chapter 2; 3 The structure of scientific explanation: the Alternative View |
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The structure of scientific explanationGeneral conclusion; Must we conclude that no observation statement is incorrigible?; Conclusion; Implications for what one is free to believe about the world; Criteria used to decide between theories; Test your understanding of Chapter 3; 4 Some historical examples of responses to a contradiction between a theory and some apparent fact; Example 1; Example 2; Example 3; Example 4; Summary: the state of affairs at any one historical time; Test your understanding of Chapter 4; 5 The criteria used for choosing between competing theories; Axiomatic beliefs |
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Example 1Example 2; Example 3; Can selection according to one's axiomatic beliefs be justified?; Power, scope, simplicity; Historical evidence favouring simple theories; Can a criterion of simplicity be justified?; Truth; Prediction; Explanatory content; Summary; Test your understanding of Chapter 5; Summary of Part 1: the characteristics of scientific explanation; PART 2 Understanding behaviour; 6 Typical approaches in psychology: internal mechanisms; The psychologist's goal; Internal operations with no reference to embodiment; Granularity of explanation; Coarse-grained analysis |
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Fine-grained analysisConnectionism; Some additional important points; Direct inspection of individual units; Test your understanding of Chapter 6; 7 Typical approaches in psychology: Skinner's functional analysis; Objections; Test your understanding of Chapter 7; 8 Common-sense psychology and its implications; Common-sense explanations of human behaviour; Intentional states and causal explanations; Consequences of the two accounts differing in kind; The relevance of Tolman's theory; The two cases of sneezing, again; Verbal utterances; Some more examples; Some possible objections; Summary |
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Why do we like intentional accounts?Test your understanding of Chapter 8; 9 Free will and determinism; Do laws of nature imply causality?; Laws of human behaviour: causality or free will?; Test your understanding of Chapter 9; 10 The possible impact on social institutions (the legal system) if we relinquish our present disposition to believe in free will; Criteria for imposing punishment on offenders; Moral culpability; Deterrence; The possible impact of psychology upon the legal system; Comment on possible change in public attitude; Overall conclusion; Test your understanding of Chapter 10 |
| Summary |
Science and Psychology provides a comprehensive introduction to the structure and characteristics of scientific explanation, using examples from a variety of sciences to illuminate the scientific approach taken in psychology. In addition, the authors discuss a range of conceptual issues particular to psychology. They examine the concepts of free will, consciousness, and purposeful behaviour, and consider the social implications of possible future changes in our understanding of these concepts and of ourselves. The final chapters of the book provide an account of what psychology can tell us about the history and origins of science. Assuming no previous understanding of either the philosophy of science or any science other than psychology, Science and Psychology is an ideal resource for both final year undergraduates and postgraduates studying psychology. Psychologists and other scientists who wish to further their understanding of the relationship between psychology and the natural sciences may also find the contents to be of interest |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references |
| Notes |
Print version record |
| Subject |
Psychology.
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Science.
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psychology.
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sciences (philosophy)
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science (modern discipline)
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PSYCHOLOGY -- Reference.
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Psychology
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Science
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| Author |
Harley, Trevor A., author.
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| ISBN |
1315529289 |
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9781315529288 |
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9781315529271 |
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1315529270 |
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9781315529264 |
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9781315529295 |
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1315529297 |
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1315529262 |
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