This major theme of cognitive psychology looks at to what extent we use highly controlled experiments versus naturalistic techniques.
A)biological versus behavioral methods
B)validity of inferences versus ecological validity
C)rationalism versus empiricism
D)structures versus processes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The validity of inferences versus ecological validity refers to the tension between using highly controlled experiments (which increase the validity of our inferences) versus naturalistic techniques (which increase ecological validity, or the extent to which findings generalize to the real world). This is a major theme in cognitive psychology. Choice A, biological versus behavioral methods, focuses on the different approaches to studying behavior, not the tradeoff between experimental control and ecological validity. Choice C, rationalism versus empiricism, refers to the broader philosophical debate about the relative importance of reason versus experience in generating knowledge. Choice D, structures versus processes, refers to the types of variables that cognitive psychologists study, rather than the methods they use.

This Major Theme of Cognitive Psychology Looks at to What