Answer to Question #179537 in Psychology for Paul Carpenter

Question

Psychologists and scientists use the words “empirical evidence”, “empirical research“, and “empiricism” in ‘scientific studies’. But do we, as consumers and users of ‘scientific information’ understand what these mean?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2014) defines the word “empirical” as:

1: originating in or based on observation or experience <empirical data>

2: relying on experience or observation alone often without due regard for system and theory <an empirical basis for the theory>

3: capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment <empirical laws>”

Answer the follow questions:

What parts of our bodies do we rely upon when gathering empirical evidence?

Would you consider your day to day living experience and observations as part of empirical evidence? Why?

Answer 1

a) we mainly depend on all body senses when collecting empirical evidence. The eyes are the most vital since they assist one to see and capture most events and information. the ears play a role in gathering information through hearing and limbs detect touch. The nose gathers evidence on smell while the tongue helps capture evidence concerning taste.

b) my daily observations cannot be classified as empirical evidence since i rarely invove myself with with experiments and analysis of data. most of the daily activities i engage in entails thoughts and observations which cannot be tested. it will require application of scientific techniques for them to qualify as empirical evidence.