Open AccessPreliminary Exploration of Hanson’s Idea of “Theory-laden Observation”
Author(s) -
Aibin Zhu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical medicine research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2717-6096
pISSN - 2717-6088
DOI - 10.32629/jcmr.v2i2.349
Subject(s) - observer (physics) , object (grammar) , set (abstract data type) , action (physics) , process (computing) , epistemology , process theory , information theory , cognitive psychology , psychology , computer science , artificial intelligence , mathematics , physics , philosophy , work in process , statistics , quantum mechanics , marketing , business , programming language , operating system
According to the traditional view, observation is neutral, unrestricted by theory, and theory depends on observation. However, Hanson's theory-laden observation, his Thematic Framework model, points out that observation depends on theory, that theory infiltrates observation, that theory determines the purpose and object of observation, and that observation must be guided by correct theory. Observation, as Hanson sees it, is a process of brain activity: it is not only the reception of information, but also the action of understanding and categorizing that information. Therefore, observation is naturally related to the observer's background, life experience and psychological set. Different observers may draw different conclusions about the same process by nature of the differences in their life experience.