Anomalies according to GEORGE J. POSNER, KENNETH A. STRIKE, PETER W. HEWSON, and WILLIAM A. GERTZOG
- Each time a person unsuccessfully attempts to assimilate an experience or a new conception into his existing network of conceptions, that person experiences an anomaly
-“An anomaly exists when one is unable to assimilate something that is presumed assimilable-or (in other words), one simply cannot make sense of something.” (Posner et al., 1982, p. 220) I don't think this does much work here. Especially after the previous line.
*Student Recognition**
“There is little evidence in the interviews that students were aware of anomalies,” (Posner et al., 1982, p. 221) I think it is incredibly hard to judge how able I am to find something intelligible before investigation.
**Will only push towards dissatisfaction of concept if:**
1) Students understand why the experimental finding represents an anomaly;
2) Students believe that it is necessary to reconcile the findings with their existing conceptions;
3) Students are committed to the reduction of inconsistencies among the beliefs they hold; and
4) Attempts to assimilate the findings into the students' existing conceptions are seen not to work
**Avoidance of accomodation can lead to:**
1) rejection of the observational theory 12;
2) a lack of concern with experimental findings on the grounds that they are irrelevant to one's current conception;
3) a compartmentalization of knowledge to prevent the new information from conflicting with existing belief ("Science doesn't have anything to do with the 'real' world"); and
4) an attempt to assimilate the new information into existing conceptions (e.g., "Newtonizing" relativistic phenomena).