Behaviorism and Philosophical FoundationsDifficulty 2/5
A behavior analyst rules out a complex explanation until simpler ones have been tested and rejected. Which philosophical assumption is being applied?
- AParsimony
- BPragmatism
- CEmpiricism
- DDeterminism
Show answer and rationale
Correct: A. Parsimony requires that simple, logical explanations be ruled out experimentally before more complex or abstract ones are considered. Determinism assumes lawful causes, empiricism requires objective observation, and pragmatism judges an account by whether it works.
- D — Determinism is the assumption that the universe is lawful and orderly.
- B — Pragmatism evaluates truth by effective action.
- C — Empiricism is the practice of objective observation and measurement.