Chapter 1: Understanding Our Environment
inductive reasoning
"Bottom-up" reasoning in which we study specific examples and try to discover patterns and derive general explanations from collected observations.
deductive reasoning
"Top down" reasoning in which we start with a general principle and derive a testable prediction about a specific case.
hypothesis
A conditional explanation that can be verified or falsified by observation or experimentation.
blind experiments
A design in which researchers don't know which subjects were given experimental treatment until after data have been gathered and analyzed.
modern environmentalism
A fusion of conservation of natural resources and preservation of nature with concerns about pollution, environmental health, and social justice.
scientific consensus
A general agreement among informed scholars.
preservation
A philosophy that emphasizes the fundamental right of living organisms to exist and to pursue their own ends.
logical thinking
A rational way of thought that asks, "How can orderly, deductive reasoning help me think clearly?"
sustainable development
A real increase in well-being and standard of life for the average person that can be maintained over the long term without degrading the environment or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
scientific method
A systematic, precise, objective study of a problem. Generally, this requires observation, hypothesis development and testing, data gathering, and interpretation.
reflective thinking
A thoughtful, contemplative analysis that asks, "What does this all mean?"
analytical thinking
A way of systematic analysis that asks, "How can I break this problem down into its constituent parts?"
dependent variable
Also known as the response variable; is the one affected by other variables.
manipulative experiments
Altering a particular factor for a test or experiment while holding all others (as much as possible) constant.
sound science
Although definitions differ, this generally means valid science according to basic scientific principles.
critical thinking
An ability to evaluate information and opinions in an systematic, purposeful, efficient manner.
scientific theory
An explanation or idea accepted by a substantial number of scientists.
controlled studies
Comparisons made between two populations that are identical (as far as possible) in every factor except the one being studied.
sustainability
Ecological, social, and economic systems that can last over the long term.
explanatory variable
Independent variables that help explain differences in the dependent variable.
reproducibility
Making an observation or obtaining a particular result consistently.
indigenous peoples
Natives or original inhabitants of an area, those who have lived in a particular place for a very long time.
double-blind experiments
Neither the subject nor the experimenter knows which participants are receiving the experimental or the control treatment until after data have been gathered and analyzed.
natural experiment
Observation of natural events to deduce causal relationships.
independent variable
One that does not respond to other variables in a particular test.
creative thinking
Original, independent thinking that asks, "How might I approach this problem in new and inventive ways?"
replication
Repeating studies or tests.
ecosystem services
Resources or services provided by environmental systems.
observation
The action or process of observing something carefully or in order to gain information.
global environmentalism
The extension of modern environmental concerns to global issues.
throughput
The flow of energy and/or matter into and out of a system.
probability
The likelihood that a situation, a condition, or an event will occur.
science
The orderly pursuit of knowledge, relying on observations that test hypotheses in order to answer questions.
utilitarian conservation
The philosophy that resources should be used for the greatest good for the greatest number for the longest time.
environmental science
The systematic, scientific study of our environment as well as our role in it.
quantitative reasoning
Understanding how to compare numbers and interpret graphs, to perceive what they show about problems that matter.
paradigm shifts
When new ideas emerge that cause major shifts in scientific consensus.