1st Edition

Foundational Analysis Presuppositions in Experimental Psychology

By Pertti Saariluoma Copyright 1997

    In a critical analysis of the asumptions underlying experimental psychology, Pertti Saariluoma urges social scientists to reflect upon their procedures and methodology. He has revisited the philosophy of science to find a new way of applying its methods to psychology. Foundational Analysis shows how it is possible to analyze existing methodological arguments and find loopholes in them, and raises new issues for the rationale behind empirical technique. It will be of interest to researchers and students in cognitive science and other social sciences, and the philosophy of science.

    Chapter 1 Presuppositions in psychological argumentation; Chapter 2 Foundational analysis; Chapter 3 Operationalization analysis; Chapter 4 Concepts and conceptual postulates; Chapter 5 The consistency of theories; Chapter 6 Causal and representational explaining; Chapter 7 Foundational analysis and scientific progress; Chapter 8 Epilogue;

    Biography

    Pertti Saariluoma is Professor of Cognitive Science at the University of Helsinki. He has been a visitor at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Carnegie-Mellon and Aberdeen. His previous publication include Chess Players’ Thinking (1995).