6 Flashcards
(12 cards)
What are the 7 features of science ?
Theory construction
Hypothesis testing
Empirical methods
Paradigm
Replicablity
Objectivity
Falsification
Theory construction
Theory is an explanation for describing a phenomenon
Which is based on observations about the world
Theories help us understand and predict things around the world
Theory construction allows us to make predictions about l behaviour then create hypothesis and test it empirically
We can use this to support our original theory and progress through scientific cycle of enquiry
Hypothesis testing
Hypothesis should be testable a falsifiable
In other words testing if it’s true or false
Testable hypothesis allows us to refine theories through acceptance or rejection of an experimental hypothesis or a null hypothesis
Emphirical methods
Information is gained though direction observation or experiment rather than opinion
Paradigm
Scientific measures have shared a set of assumption and measures
Psychology lacks universally accepted paradigm
Psychologists argue that psychology has a number of different paradigm
E.g behaviourism , cognitive approach
Paradigm shift - revolutionary change in scientific assumptions where old paradigm replaced with a new one
An example could be the move away from behavioural psychologists to to cognitive psychology
which happened in the early 1960s
Reliability
Repeat research using same methods/ procedure to check simmiler findings
Procedures must be operationalised and detailed to do this
This is important aspect of science because repeating research allows us to check findings are externally valid
This helps us generalise theory to wider population
Increases confidence in results
Objectivity
Where research is not affected by expectations of researcher
Using factual measurements and measurable data or controlled condition to reduce subjectivity
Falsification
Ability to prove a theory wrong
This means testable hypothesis should include an alternate hypothesis and null hypothesis
Strength of using replicable
Lead to practical applications
If researcher uses replicable procedure
E.g when skinner investigated reinforcement with rats , rats were placed in a controlled environment
Means research can be replicated in same conditions , increases credibility of research .
Can also help to develop prac apps such as token economy systems for people suffering with SZ to help manage symptoms .
Thus showing feature of sicience is an important part of applied psychology
Limitation of conducting objective research when establishing psychology as science Ao3
Can lead to reductionist viewpoint
Often problem as we are simplifying behaviour to simple basic units
E.g simplifying OCD to simple basic units such as mutated sert gene , which has been identified by objective methods such as gene mapping .
Neglects the holistic approach which will take into account a variety of factors
Thus when conducting objective research we fail to gain full understanding of human behaviour in context
Limitation when considering if psychology follows all features of science Ao3
Is that some approaches can’t be falsified
E.g Frued in psychodynamic approach created idea of 5 psychosexual stages that children progress to have a ‘normal development’
However theory cannot be falsified as there is not possible way to test if the idea is true or false
Due to unscientific nature of the unconscious
Thus not all areas of psychology can be considered science due to their unscientific methods lowering credibility of psychology as a science .
