A Historical Science: Scientists in Many Fields Can Test Their

question 33

Essay

A historical science: Scientists in many fields can test their hypotheses by proposing and carrying out experiments in which they can change variables in a controlled fashion. Astronomers, however, cannot adjust the properties of the objects they study. In what sense, then, can astronomers still conduct experiments?

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Definitions:

Milgram Experiment

A psychological experiment conducted by Stanley Milgram in the 1960s to study obedience to authority, where participants were instructed to administer electric shocks to another person.

Stanford University Prison Experiment

A psychological study conducted by Philip Zimbardo in 1971 at Stanford University, where students were assigned roles of prisoners and guards to explore the effects of perceived power.

Generalization

Drawing a conclusion about a certain characteristic of a population based on a sample from it.

Logical Support

The provision of reasons or evidence to justify a claim or argument.