Which principle emphasizes preferring the simplest explanation in science?

Which principle emphasizes preferring the simplest explanation in science?

• A. Stimulus Equivalence
• B. Parsimony
• C. Empiricism
• D. Determinism

Answer: (B)

Preferring the simplest explanation that accounts for the data is the principle of parsimony. This guideline helps scientists avoid adding unnecessary assumptions and keeps explanations testable and generalizable. When multiple accounts could fit the observations, the one with the fewest ad hoc principles is preferred because it leaves more room for future falsification and tends to predict new findings better. In behavior analysis, a single, straightforward controlling variable that explains a pattern is typically favored over a long, complicated set of contingencies if it adequately accounts for the data. The other concepts relate to different ideas: stimulus equivalence deals with derived relations among stimuli, empiricism centers on knowledge from observation, and determinism asserts that events have causes.

Preferring the simplest explanation that accounts for the data is the principle of parsimony. This guideline helps scientists avoid adding unnecessary assumptions and keeps explanations testable and generalizable. When multiple accounts could fit the observations, the one with the fewest ad hoc principles is preferred because it leaves more room for future falsification and tends to predict new findings better. In behavior analysis, a single, straightforward controlling variable that explains a pattern is typically favored over a long, complicated set of contingencies if it adequately accounts for the data. The other concepts relate to different ideas: stimulus equivalence deals with derived relations among stimuli, empiricism centers on knowledge from observation, and determinism asserts that events have causes.