Questions: Multiple Choice Question
A good theory
confirms what people already believe.
is extremely speculative.
presents facts that support the theory and disregards evidence that contradicts it.
is both explanatory and predictive.
Transcript text: Multiple Choice Question
A good theory
confirms what people already believe.
is extremely speculative.
presents facts that support the theory and disregards evidence that contradicts it.
is both explanatory and predictive.
Solution
The answer is D: is both explanatory and predictive.
Explanation for each option:
A. Confirms what people already believe.
Incorrect. A good theory does not necessarily confirm pre-existing beliefs. In fact, many groundbreaking theories challenge conventional wisdom and lead to new understandings.
B. Is extremely speculative.
Incorrect. While some theories may start as speculative, a good theory is grounded in evidence and can be tested and validated through research and experimentation.
C. Presents facts that support the theory and disregards evidence that contradicts it.
Incorrect. A good theory should be open to scrutiny and consider all evidence, including that which may contradict it. Ignoring contradictory evidence is a sign of bias and weakens the credibility of the theory.
D. Is both explanatory and predictive.
Correct. A good theory should explain the phenomena it addresses and make accurate predictions about future events or observations. This dual capability is what makes a theory robust and useful in scientific inquiry.