Psychology of Science: Contributions to Metascience

by Barry Gholson, William R. Shadish, Jr. Jr, Robert A. Neimeyer, Arthur C. Houts

Overview

This is the first comprehensive view of the work of scholars in several different disciplines contributing to the development of the psychology of science. This new field of inquiry is a systematic elaboration and application of psychological concepts and methods to clarify the nature of the scientific enterprise. While the psychology of science overlaps the philosophy, history, and sociology of science in important ways, its predominant focus is on individuals and small groups, rather than broad social institutions and concepts. The introduction surveys the field and traces its evolution in a historical context. Several contributors address epistemological issues raised by the psychology of science. Subsequent chapters discuss developments in the cognitive psychology of science, scientific theory, and the influence of social relationships on scientists' work. The conclusion proposes an agenda for further progress in this new approach to understanding science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521203203
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/11/2011
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	478
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.30(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Psychology of science: an introduction William R. Shadish, Jr., Arthur C. Houts, Barry Gholson and Robert A. Neimeyer; Part I. Historical Issues in the Psychology of Science: 2. Fragments of the fragile history of psychological epistemology and theory of science Donald T. Campbell; 3. Contributions of the psychology of science to metascience: a call for explorers Arthur C. Houts; Part II. The Case for a Psychology of Science: 4. The reflexivity problem in the psychology of science Peter Barker; 5. Uneasy chapters in the relationship between psychology and epistemology Cecilia M. Heyes; 6. Participatory epistemology and psychology of science Michael J. Mahoney; Part III. Creativity and the Psychology of Science: 7. Chance-configuration theory of scientific creativity Dean Keith Simonton; 8. A perspectivist approach to the strategic planning of programmatic scientific research William J. McGuire; 9. Networks of enterprise in creative scientific work Howard E. Gruber; Part IV. Cognition in the Psychology of Science: 10. Cognitive paradigms and the psychology of science Marc De Mey; 11. Historical shifts in the use of analogy in science Dedre Gentner and Michael Jeziorski; 12. Imagery, metaphor, and physical reality Arthur I. Miller; 13. A framework for the cognitive psychology of science Ryan D. Tweney; Part V. Social Factors in the Psychology of Science: 14. The psychology of scientific dialogues Ron Westrum; 15. The perception and evaluation of quality in science William R. Shadish, Jr.; Part VI. Epilogue and Prologue: 16. A preliminary agenda for the psychology of science Robert A. Neimeyer, William R. Shadish, Jr., Eric G. Freedman, Barry Gholson and Arthur C. Houts; Author index; Subject index.

Editorial Reviews

"The ambitious goal Gholson, Shadish, Niemeyer, and Houts set for themselves is no less than designing a new discipline (psychology of science), describing its past, exemplifying its achievements, setting its agenda, and generally staking its claim to be part of a new science of science. By and large, they succeed." Contemporary Psychology

"...a very ambitious volume...organized clearly and logically...a rich, dense volume, not to be digested at one sitting but rather sampled and savord leisurely and thoughtfully..."' Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences

From the Publisher

The psychology of science focuses on individuals and small groups rather than broad social institutions, and concepts elucidated via experimental methods. After an introductory survey, contributors address epistemological issues and discuss developments in the cognitive psychology of science, scientific creativity, and the influence of social relationships on scientists' work. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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