Operationism & EssentialismOperationism & Essentialism

EssentialismEssentialism

• Essentialism = good scientific theories give ultimate explanations of essential properties• Unless a theory provides the ultimate

explanation of something it is useless

OperationismOperationism

• Operationism = concepts in scientific theories must be grounded in observable events that can be measured• Operational definition = linking a concept to an

observable event• Not based on personal judgment

• Scientists are NOT Essentialists – they are operationists

OperationismOperationism

• Operational definitions employ multiple concepts• Require specificity

• These concepts may need operational definitions themselves

Indirect Operational DefinitionsIndirect Operational Definitions

Anxiety

Worry Headache Concentration

• Tension•Unrealistic view of problems•Restlessness•‘Edgy’ or irritable

• Persistent pain for most of the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks• Muscle tension in neck

• CPT performance• Brenner DistractionQuestionnaire• 30 min TV show

Evolution of ScienceEvolution of Science

• As new information is learned, definitions change• Ex. Anxiety & Intelligence

• This evolution is a result of scientific activity rather than language debate

• Definition of concept is best formulated after something is known about it

Pre-existing Bias ProblemPre-existing Bias Problem

• People don’t come into the field of climatology with emotional attachments to the concepts of cloud formation

• We all have intuitive definitions of psychological conceptsAnnoyance Depression

Love Competitiveness

Alcoholism Excitability

Essentialist ?s & the Essentialist ?s & the Misunderstanding of PsychologyMisunderstanding of Psychology

• There is an unrealistic expectation of psychologists to provide essentialist answers to ultimate questions

• Psychologist’s unwillingness to attempt to provide these answers is often frowned upon

• Other sciences do not have this same expectation