Falsificationism and holism in experimental psychology: Logical foundations and methodological implications

Shortcomings of falsificationism are illustrated with respect to the process of hypothesis-testing in experimental psychology. In contrast to falsificationism, holism is introduced as a theoretical position which a) is able to solve logical problems of falsificationism, b) explains historical phenomena in science (e.g., paradigms, scientific revolutions), and c) implies accepted methodological conventions which cannot be deduced from falsificationism. Consequences for research and teaching are discussed.