What levels of explanation in the behavioural sciences?

What levels of explanation in the behavioural sciences? PDF Author: Giuseppe Boccignone
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 288919597X
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 93

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Book Description
Complex systems are to be seen as typically having multiple levels of organization. For instance, in the behavioural and cognitive sciences, there has been a long lasting trend, promoted by the seminal work of David Marr, putting focus on three distinct levels of analysis: the computational level, accounting for the What and Why issues, the algorithmic and the implementational levels specifying the How problem. However, the tremendous developments in neuroscience knowledge about processes at different scales of organization together with the complexity of today cognitive theories suggest that there will hardly be only three levels of explanation. Instead, there will be many different degrees of commitments corresponding to the different granularities - from high-level (behavioural) models to low-level (neural and molecular) models of the cognitive research program. For instance, Bayesian approaches, that are usually advocated for formalizing Marr's computational level and rational behaviour, have even been adopted to model synaptic plasticity and axon guidance by molecular gradients. As a result, we can consider the behavioural scientist as dealing with models at a multiplicity of levels. The purpose of this Research Topic in Frontiers in Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology is to promote an approach to the role of the levels and explanation and models which is of interest for cognitive scientists, neuroscientists, psychologists, behavioural scientists, and philosophers of science.

What levels of explanation in the behavioural sciences?

What levels of explanation in the behavioural sciences? PDF Author: Giuseppe Boccignone
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 288919597X
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 93

Get Book Here

Book Description
Complex systems are to be seen as typically having multiple levels of organization. For instance, in the behavioural and cognitive sciences, there has been a long lasting trend, promoted by the seminal work of David Marr, putting focus on three distinct levels of analysis: the computational level, accounting for the What and Why issues, the algorithmic and the implementational levels specifying the How problem. However, the tremendous developments in neuroscience knowledge about processes at different scales of organization together with the complexity of today cognitive theories suggest that there will hardly be only three levels of explanation. Instead, there will be many different degrees of commitments corresponding to the different granularities - from high-level (behavioural) models to low-level (neural and molecular) models of the cognitive research program. For instance, Bayesian approaches, that are usually advocated for formalizing Marr's computational level and rational behaviour, have even been adopted to model synaptic plasticity and axon guidance by molecular gradients. As a result, we can consider the behavioural scientist as dealing with models at a multiplicity of levels. The purpose of this Research Topic in Frontiers in Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology is to promote an approach to the role of the levels and explanation and models which is of interest for cognitive scientists, neuroscientists, psychologists, behavioural scientists, and philosophers of science.

Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences

Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences PDF Author: Jacob Cohen
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134742770
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 625

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Book Description
Statistical Power Analysis is a nontechnical guide to power analysis in research planning that provides users of applied statistics with the tools they need for more effective analysis. The Second Edition includes: * a chapter covering power analysis in set correlation and multivariate methods; * a chapter considering effect size, psychometric reliability, and the efficacy of "qualifying" dependent variables and; * expanded power and sample size tables for multiple regression/correlation.

Explanation in the Behavioural Sciences

Explanation in the Behavioural Sciences PDF Author: Robert Borger
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521078207
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 532

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Book Description
There are sharp differences among psychologists, sociologists, philosophers and others concerned with the behavioural and social sciences, not simply about the adequacy of particular explanatory systems, but about the very forms of explanation appropriate in this field. The editors have therefore invited a number of distinguished contributors to bring their views into direct confrontation - each chapter takes the form of an exposition, a comment and a final reply by the first author. This volume was first published in 1970.

Behavioral Research

Behavioral Research PDF Author: Fred Nichols Kerlinger
Publisher: Holt McDougal
ISBN: 9780030133312
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 360

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Book Description


Introduction to Psychology

Introduction to Psychology PDF Author: Jennifer Walinga
Publisher: Hasanraza Ansari
ISBN:
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 810

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Book Description
This book is designed to help students organize their thinking about psychology at a conceptual level. The focus on behaviour and empiricism has produced a text that is better organized, has fewer chapters, and is somewhat shorter than many of the leading books. The beginning of each section includes learning objectives; throughout the body of each section are key terms in bold followed by their definitions in italics; key takeaways, and exercises and critical thinking activities end each section.

Science And Human Behavior

Science And Human Behavior PDF Author: B.F Skinner
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1476716153
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 484

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Book Description
The psychology classic—a detailed study of scientific theories of human nature and the possible ways in which human behavior can be predicted and controlled—from one of the most influential behaviorists of the twentieth century and the author of Walden Two. “This is an important book, exceptionally well written, and logically consistent with the basic premise of the unitary nature of science. Many students of society and culture would take violent issue with most of the things that Skinner has to say, but even those who disagree most will find this a stimulating book.” —Samuel M. Strong, The American Journal of Sociology “This is a remarkable book—remarkable in that it presents a strong, consistent, and all but exhaustive case for a natural science of human behavior…It ought to be…valuable for those whose preferences lie with, as well as those whose preferences stand against, a behavioristic approach to human activity.” —Harry Prosch, Ethics

The Behavioral and Social Sciences

The Behavioral and Social Sciences PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309037492
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 301

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Book Description
This volume explores the scientific frontiers and leading edges of research across the fields of anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, history, business, education, geography, law, and psychiatry, as well as the newer, more specialized areas of artificial intelligence, child development, cognitive science, communications, demography, linguistics, and management and decision science. It includes recommendations concerning new resources, facilities, and programs that may be needed over the next several years to ensure rapid progress and provide a high level of returns to basic research.

Understanding Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences

Understanding Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences PDF Author: Roger Bakeman
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1135613141
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 469

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Book Description
Understanding Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences is designed to help readers understand research reports, analyze data, and familiarize themselves with the conceptual underpinnings of statistical analyses used in behavioral science literature. The authors review statistics in a way that is intended to reduce anxiety for students who feel intimidated by statistics. Conceptual underpinnings and practical applications are stressed, whereas algebraic derivations and complex formulas are reduced. New ideas are presented in the context of a few recurring examples, which allows readers to focus more on the new statistical concepts than on the details of different studies. The authors' selection and organization of topics is slightly different from the ordinary introductory textbook. It is motivated by the needs of a behavioral science student, or someone in clinical practice, rather than by formal, mathematical properties. The book begins with hypothesis testing and then considers how hypothesis testing is used in conjunction with statistical designs and tests to answer research questions. In addition, this book treats analysis of variance as another application of multiple regression. With this integrated, unified approach, students simultaneously learn about multiple regression and how to analyze data associated with basic analysis of variance and covariance designs. Students confront fewer topics but those they do encounter possess considerable more power, generality, and practical importance. This integrated approach helps to simplify topics that often cause confusion. Understanding Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences features:*Computer-based exercises, many of which rely on spreadsheets, help the reader perform statistical analyses and compare and verify the results using either SPSS or SAS. These exercises also provide an opportunity to explore definitional formulas by altering raw data or terms within a formula and immediately see the consequences thus providing a deeper understanding of the basic concepts. *Key terms and symbols are boxed when first introduced and repeated in a glossary to make them easier to find at review time. *Numerous tables and graphs, including spreadsheet printouts and figures, help students visualize the most critical concepts. This book is intended as a text for introductory behavioral science statistics. It will appeal to instructors who want a relatively brief text. The book's active approach to learning, works well both in the classroom and for individual self-study.

Statistical Power Analysis for the Social and Behavioral Sciences

Statistical Power Analysis for the Social and Behavioral Sciences PDF Author: Xiaofeng Steven Liu
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136464182
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 285

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Book Description
This is the first book to demonstrate the application of power analysis to the newer more advanced statistical techniques that are increasingly used in the social and behavioral sciences. Both basic and advanced designs are covered. Readers are shown how to apply power analysis to techniques such as hierarchical linear modeling, meta-analysis, and structural equation modeling. Each chapter opens with a review of the statistical procedure and then proceeds to derive the power functions. This is followed by examples that demonstrate how to produce power tables and charts. The book clearly shows how to calculate power by providing open code for every design and procedure in R, SAS, and SPSS. Readers can verify the power computation using the computer programs on the book's website. There is a growing requirement to include power analysis to justify sample sizes in grant proposals. Most chapters are self-standing and can be read in any order without much disruption.This book will help readers do just that. Sample computer code in R, SPSS, and SAS at www.routledge.com/9781848729810 are written to tabulate power values and produce power curves that can be included in a grant proposal. Organized according to various techniques, chapters 1 – 3 introduce the basics of statistical power and sample size issues including the historical origin, hypothesis testing, and the use of statistical power in t tests and confidence intervals. Chapters 4 - 6 cover common statistical procedures -- analysis of variance, linear regression (both simple regression and multiple regression), correlation, analysis of covariance, and multivariate analysis. Chapters 7 - 11 review the new statistical procedures -- multi-level models, meta-analysis, structural equation models, and longitudinal studies. The appendixes contain a tutorial about R and show the statistical theory of power analysis. Intended as a supplement for graduate courses on quantitative methods, multivariate statistics, hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) and/or multilevel modeling and SEM taught in psychology, education, human development, nursing, and social and life sciences, this is the first text on statistical power for advanced procedures. Researchers and practitioners in these fields also appreciate the book‘s unique coverage of the use of statistical power analysis to determine sample size in planning a study. A prerequisite of basic through multivariate statistics is assumed.

Modeling Dyadic and Interdependent Data in the Developmental and Behavioral Sciences

Modeling Dyadic and Interdependent Data in the Developmental and Behavioral Sciences PDF Author: Noel A. Card
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135703930
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 562

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Book Description
This book reviews methods of conceptualizing, measuring, and analyzing interdependent data in developmental and behavioral sciences. Quantitative and developmental experts describe best practices for modeling interdependent data that stem from interactions within families, relationships, and peer groups, for example. Complex models for analyzing longitudinal data, such as growth curves and time series, are also presented. Many contributors are innovators of the techniques and all are able to clearly explain the methodologies and their practical problems including issues of measurement, missing data, power and sample size, and the specific limitations of each method. Featuring a balance between analytic strategies and applications, the book addresses: The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model for analyzing influence between two individuals The Intraclass Correlational Approach for analyzing distinguishable roles (parent-child) or exchangeable (same-sex) dyadic data The Social Relations Model for analyzing group interdependency Social Network Analysis approaches for relationships between individuals This book is intended for graduate students and researchers across the developmental, social, behavioral, and educational sciences. It is an excellent research guide and a valuable resource for advanced methods courses.