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 public’s 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