Formal models
33 important questions on Formal models
How do we call a simplified representation of the world that aims to explain observed data?
What is the difference between a formal- and an informal model?
- A formal model is a mathematical description of the relationship between variables that you expect to hold. It specifies relationships
- an informal model is a verbal explanation of relations between variables.
What are the advantages of a formal model?
- It can sharpen theories by pointing out overlooked research problems
- a model is more complete in conceptualizing psychological problems compared to a linear regression for example.
- models have higher external validity since they are more of an inter individual measure, compared to an experimental procedure controlling natural covariate variables.
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How do we call it when a model captures not only the variance that results from the cognitive process of interest but also that from random error?
Why is overfitting a problem?
- An overfitted model is perfect in fitting the existing data, but does a poor job in predicting new data.
- a fitted model doesn't fit the existing data as well, but grasps the main tendencies making it better equipped to predict new observations
How do we call the ability of a model to predict new data?
How do we call a model’s inherent flexibility that enables it to fit diverse patterns of data?
Which factors contribute to a model's complexity?
- The number of free parameters it has
- how the parameters are combined in it: the functional form.
What problems can arise when designing and testing models?
- The irrelevant specification problem
- the bononi paradox
- the identification problem.
Describe the irrelevant specification problem.
Describe the bononi paradox
Describe the identification problem
Describe the Yerkes-Dodson law
What are the different steps taken ideally in reasoning about theory through NHST?
- There is a theory, your substantial hypothesis
- research hypothesis: reason how the theory would occur in this (artificial) situation
- statistical hypothesis: H0 and Ha based on theory.
How do we call it when the theory is almost a literal reformulation of the experimental findings?
Which three types of circular reasoning are there?
- Repeating the premise as the conclusion
- premises presupposes the truth of the conclusion (begging the question)
- premise is logically/semantically equal to the conclusion (rewriting the premise)
When do people trade on equivocation in reasoning about theories?
Which fallacies are used in NHST in reasoning about theories?
- False dilemma: either accept your null hypothesis or your theory is correct
- common practice: compare your p level to an alpha level because everyone is doing it.
- straw man: testing your theorie on a null hypothesis, there's always a bit of correlation or a bit of difference. so you find significance when you find any difference
Why is:
if theory p, then observation q
observation q
therefor theory p
not correct, and how should it be?
what is correct is:
if theory p, then observation q
- observation q
therefor not theory p
What is an important question to ask to when determining the truth of a theory based on a research?
How do we call it when people tend to interpret results in a way that fits their very specific theory when a more general theory could also hold?
How do we call a concise statement about how we believe the world to be?
What is the use of a theory?
Which characteristics does a good theory have?
- breadth
- coherence and consistency
- Descriptive adequacy
- originality
- precision and interpretability
- prediction and falsifiability
- postdiction and explanation
- parsimony
- rationality
- usability
Which characteristic of a good theory is described: is the theory new or is it a restatement of an existing theory?
Which characteristic of a good theory is described: does each component of the theory fit logically into a coherent whole with others, and is it consistent with theories in other domains?
Which characteristic of a good theory is described: does the theory accord with the data?
Which characteristic of a good theory is described: is the theory precise and understandably written?
Which characteristic of a good theory is described: is the theory formulated that critical tests can be developed to test it?
Which characteristic of a good theory is described: does the theory apply to a broad range of phenomena?
Which characteristic of a good theory is described: does the theory have applied implications?
Which characteristic of a good theory is described: does the theory make claims about the mind that seem reasonable?
Why is "a is correlated with b" less falsifiable than "a is positively correlated with b"?
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