Facts Glossary

Glossary Chapter 3 absolute An absolute is something that is perfect, complete, always true, something never to be doubted or questioned. accommodation Accommodation is achieved when we can do the thinking needed to create a new schema or modify an old schema in order to explain a new experience. argument There are the two parts of an argument. The conclusion, or main summary idea and the reasons given to support that idea. assimilation Assimilation is achieved when we can integrate new experiences into existing schemas. certain Certain is a characteristic of something fixed, assured, or inevitable. disequilibrium The confusion and discomfort felt when a new experience cannot be integrated into existing schemas. equilibrium A stable inner feeling of well being that we feel when our thinking enables us to modify or create a new schema that better explains our world. fact A fact is something proven to be true, real, existing or to have existed. fiction Fiction is an idea or story based on imagination rather than reality. objective/subjective Objective is to be impartial, free of bias or prejudice. Subjective is to be swayed by bias or prejudice rather than facts and evidence. plausibility This standard weighs the reasonability of a event or explanation. probability This standard estimates the likelihood that an event occurred or will occur. reliability This is another standard: that the data was confirmed to be fact by a reputable independent source. Reliability also means that the confirmation proved dependable over time. schema Schemas are the mental files in which we store our explanations of experiences. thinking Purposeful mental activity such as reasoning, deciding, judging, believing, supposing, expecting, intending, recalling, remembering, visualizing, imagining, devising, inventing, concentrating, conceiving, considering. verifiability This is a standard for determining facts; that they can be tested and confirmed to be either true and/or in existence or past existence or not. verify To verify is to test and confirm the truth, accuracy, or existence of something.