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Chapter 3: Operationism
and Essentialism “But, Doctor, What Does It Really Mean?” |
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Section 11: Summary
• Operational definitions are concepts stated in
terms they can be measured by • Making sure key concepts are in operational
definitions ensures theories are falsifiable • Operational definitions make scientific knowledge
publicly verifiable, testable, and consistent among
individuals • All sciences require operational definitions • Pre-existing notions are a
problem due to the common discourse used in
psychology • Demands are placed on psychology
to answer ultimate/essentialist
questions, which no science can
answer • Psychology seeks to continually
refine operational definitions so concepts
in theories more accurately reflect
the way the world actually is |
