Psychology as a Science Flashcards
When can research seen as Scientific?
Research is seen as Scientific if behaviour can be operationalised, falsified and predictions can be made about behaviour, and scientific measures are used.
There are several considerations to make when debating on whether psychology can be classed as a science…
Define the term ‘Cause and Effect.’
Cause and Effect is the search for a link between two variables that shows a change in one can be responsible for a change in another (IV and DV); a lack of this could suggest it is not scientific.
There are several considerations to make when debating on whether psychology can be classed as a science…
Define the term ‘Falsification.’
Falsification is being able to demonstrate that something is not the case i.e the hypothesis is false.
There are several considerations to make when debating on whether psychology can be classed as a science…
Define the term ‘Replicability.’
Replicability is being able to repeat the original procedure in exactly the same way.
There are several considerations to make when debating on whether psychology can be classed as a science…
Define the term ‘Objectivity.’
Objectivity is taking an unbiased external perspective that is not affected by an individual or personal viewpoint so it should be consistent between different researchers.
There are several considerations to make when debating on whether psychology can be classed as a science…
Define the term ‘Induction.’
Induction is a scientific method that uses observations to generate testable hypotheses, which are developed into theories. (hypothesis- test- theory)
There are several considerations to make when debating on whether psychology can be classed as a science…
Define the term ‘Deduction.’
Deduction is a scientific method that develops hypotheses from theories then tests these. (theory- hypothesis- test)
There are several considerations to make when debating on whether psychology can be classed as a science…
Define the term ‘Hypothesis Testing.’
Hypothesis Testing is when scientific evidence is gathered by demonstrating objectively that a testable statement (a hypothesis) is either supported or not by results.
There are several considerations to make when debating on whether psychology can be classed as a science…
Define the term ‘Manipulation of Variables.’
Manipulation of variables is done to test a hypothesis in a valid and reliable way, the IV and the DV must be operationally defined.
There are several considerations to make when debating on whether psychology can be classed as a science…
Define the term ‘Control of Variables.’
This is essential so that extraneous variables could not account for changes in the DV, which would make any apparent effect on the IV invalid.
There are several considerations to make when debating on whether psychology can be classed as a science…
Define the term ‘Standardisation.’
Standardisation is the use of set procedures for conducting the study and collecting data across different conditions and participants to limit the effects of other things.
There are several considerations to make when debating on whether psychology can be classed as a science…
Define the term ‘Quantifiable Measures.’
Quantifiable measures (numbers) are used to help ensure the DV is being assessed in an objective way.
How does Piliavin link to the debate ‘Psychology as a Science?’
A really good example of ‘Inductive’ research as it shows us how research has led to the development of an explanation (the cost reward model) as opposed to deductive reasoning.
How does Levine link to the debate ‘Psychology as a Science?’
It could be argued that Levine’s study supports Psychology as a Science in terms of ‘replicability,’ as it was repeated so many times it shows how repeatable it actually was.
How does Moray/Simons and Chabris/Blakemore and Cooper link to the debate ‘Psychology as a Science?’
Both studies were carried out in a ‘controlled laboratory’ setting and these usually follow and fulfill the ‘scientific criteria’ of theory, control, evidence, and replication.
