Why Scientists Are Not Essentialists

1
Why Scientists Are Not Essentialists

• Essentialists believe that the only good
  scientific theories are the theories which give
  ultimate explanations of phenomena.
• Scientists do not claim to produce perfect, and
  unwavering knowledge - Science is not error free
  but it does produce a way of eliminating errors.
• Scientists consider questions limitless,
  therefore, scientists are always inquiring.
• Essentialists want to place a glass ceiling on
  the study of science with ultimate definitions
  and explanations

2
Essentialists Like to Argue About the Meaning of
Words

• Essentialists must define the meaning of terms
  and concepts before the search for knowledge
  about the term or concept begins.
• Essentialists must have a clear understanding of
  the word before it can be used in a theory.
  (Scientists work exactly opposite)
• Essentialists are interested in the analysis of
  language forming clear linguistic definitions of
  terms and concepts.

3
Operationists Link Concepts to Observable Events

• Operationists believe in operationism the idea
  that concepts in scientific theories must be
  linked to observable events that can be measured
• Operational definition removes concepts from
  institutions and personal feeling and allows the
  concept to be tested by anyone who can carry out
  the measurable operations.
• Operationists are looking for a particular
  observation to help define a concept not
  confining their definition of a concept to
  language, without proof of measurability

4
Scientific Concepts Evolve

• The definition of a scientific concept is
  evolving as observations that apply to the
  concept are enriched. (Stanovich 1992)
• The usage of theoretical terms evolves from
  scientific activity, not from debates about the
  meaning of words.
• The Boldest difference between essentialist and
  Operationists the quest for absolute definition

5
Operational Definitions In Psychology

• Preexisting bias Problem we have intuitive
  explanations for human behavior, we are happy
  with our own definitions and reject the
  acceptance of any other definition.
• The preexisting bias locks the door to further
  scientific progress in the field of psychology.
• Psychology involves personal perception and
  operationalism does not always agree with the
  general publics defined ideas.
• Operationism is not unique to psychology, it is a
  characteristic of all sciences

6
Operationism as a Humanizing Force

• The problem with relying on intuition? What Jim
  knows may not be the same thing that Mary knows.
  If we use intuition as a guide we have no
  mechanism to decide between conflicting claims.
• Operationalism looks to be the humanizing force
  in science so that when knowledge claims are
  made public and conflicting ideas arise, the
  question can be tested and results can produce a
  clearer answer in the end.
• Personal definitions must be rejected because
  they may be uncommon, idiosyncratic or vague.

7
Essentialist Questions and the Misunderstanding
of Psychology

• Why people abandon Operationism? People seek
  essentialist answers to certain human problems.
• The public demands essentialist answers from
  psychology that it does not deemed from other
  sciences.
• It may be discomforting to know that no science,
  including psychology , can give answers to
  essentialist questions.

8
Operationism and the Phrasing of Psychological
Questions

• An operational definition can be a useful tool in
  evaluating the falsiability of a psychological
  theory.
• When we observe people discussing the issue in
  psychology we see a clear difference between a
  scientific and non-scientific style of thinking
  due to the preexisting bias the general public
  has towards leaning on their intuition