Falsifiability

1
Falsifiability

• How to foil little green men in the head

2
Falsifiability by definition

• Scientific theories must always be stated in
  such a way that the predictions derived from them
  can potentially be shown as falsethe methods of
  evaluating new evidencemust always include the
  possibility that the data will falsify the
  theory (Stanovich, 2004, p.20)

3
Some thoughts to ponder

• Theories
• Knocking Rhythms
• Freud
• The Little Green Men and ESP
• Not all Confirmations Equal

4

• Folk Wisdom
• Admitting Mistakes
• Thoughts are Cheap
• Getting Closer to the Truth

5
References

• Stanovich, K. E. (2004). How to think straight
  about psychology. Boston, MA AB Pearson
  Education.