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Prescriptions Definitions
Functionalism–Structuralism The proper focus of psychology is on
activities/processes of mind or behavior versus
the proper focus of psychology is on
structures/contents of mind or behavior.
Inductivism–Deductivism Research should begin in observations versus
research should begin with a set of claims
assumed to be true.
Mechanism–Vitalism We understand behavior entirely in terms of
physical, biological, and chemical structures
and processes versus we understand behavior
as the outcome of a special life force unique
to living things.
Methodological objectivism– The primary data of psychology should
Methodological subjectivism be observations every one can make versus
the primary data of psychology should be our
own personal, subjective experiences.
Molecularism–Molarism Psychologists should break phenomena into
the small units that build our behavior and
minds versus psychologists should identify
large units that organize our behavior
and minds.
Monism–Dualism Mind and matter are fundamentally the same
thing versus mind and matter are
fundamentally different things.
Naturalism–Supernaturalism We can understand nature by discovering the
laws that govern it versus we must understand
that forces outside of nature (that exist
separately from nature) guide it.
Nomotheticism–Idiographicism Psychology should focus on finding a few
general laws that explain everything versus
psychology should uncover the rules that
explain particular events or people.
Peripheralism–Centralism Psychology should focus on external aspects of
behavior versus psychology should focus on
the internal aspects of behavior.
Purism–Utilitarianism We should seek knowledge for its own sake
versus we should seek knowledge we can use
for other purposes (e.g., to solve human
problems).
Quantitativism–Qualitativism We should strive to define what we know in
terms of measures and amounts versus we