5.1.1

Psychology as a Science

Test yourself

Is Psychology a Science?

There is much debate over whether or not psychology is a science. Here are the arguments for and against the idea, as well as basic criteria for something being a science.

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Factors that make something a science

  • Controlled, experimental conditions that can show cause and effect and can test hypotheses.
  • Highly standardised experiments that can be repeated in the same way - reliability
  • Use of IVs and DVs.
  • The scientific method – objective, systematic and replicable.
  • The scientific cycle – objective, systematic and replicable observation. Building, refining or falsifying, development of a scientific theory, constant testing/refining and back to the theory.
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For psychology being a science

  • It relies on objective and systematic methods, so is more than the passive acceptance of facts.
  • Because scientific methods rely on a belief in determinism, they are able to establish causes through use of methods that are empirical and replicable.
  • If scientific theories no longer fit the facts, they can be refined/abandoned. Psychologists are always replicating each other’s work so poor theories become redundant quickly.
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Against psychology being a science

  • It concentrates so much on objectivity and control that it tells us little about how people act in more natural environments.
  • Much of the subject matter in psychology is unobservable, so cannot be measured with any degree of accuracy.
  • Not all psychologists share the view that all human behaviour can be explored using scientific methods.
  • Allport (1947) took an eclectic approach to the study of psychology combining both the scientific methods of behaviourism and Freudian concepts of unconscious motivation – the best of both worlds!

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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