Controversies (Psychology as a science)

Question 1

What is a science

Answer 1

Science is a branch of knowledge is conducted on objective principles. It is the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical world through observation and experiment. Its overall aim is to discover natural laws in order to predict and control the world. It should include features such as discoveries casual relationships, replicable findings to be classed as a science. There needs to be paradigm which is generally an accepted theoretical orientation within science.

Question 2

Science aims

Answer 2

The division between science and non-science is not clear cut. Psychology shares goals and uses the science method. It designed models that can be falsified and conducts controlled experiments. It has three aims.
Prediction- putting forward a theory hypothesis.
Understanding- using results to understand.
Control- gain deeper knowledge in the world.
However does using this method make psychology science?

Question 3

Miller- not a science

Answer 3

Miller suggests psychologists are doing nothing more than dressing up. They take the tools of science, but the essence of science has eluded them he claims in fact it is a pseudoscience.

Question 4

Different levels

Answer 4

At least some levels of psychology or scientific. This levels concept comes from reductionism. Other sciences are reductionist e.g. physics. Is considered more complex phenomenal are best understood in simple terms. However levels of psychology such genetic are scientific but other levels are arguably not as they take a holistic approach.

Question 5

Fundamental errors

Answer 5

Taking the lower level approach however could lead to behaviour being overlooked, leading to fundamental errors of understanding. Reductionist theories of faslifiable.

Question 6

Popper

Answer 6

States that defining point of science is not seeking to confirm the theory but rather to disprove it. Theories are non-falsifibable on nonscientific e.g. psychodynamic.

Question 7

Paradigm

Answer 7

Khun stated the most essential factor is a paradigm, as set assumptions that govern subject. He claimed that psychology cannot be a science because unlike other sciences there is no single paradigm. It has a number of approaches no unifying one. He suggested it is a pre-science. It is yet to identify its paradigm.

Question 8

Objective

Answer 8

Psychology also lacks objectivity it is essential part but argued no one observes something without some idea of what they’re looking for, thus always driven by hypothesis. Psychology is unique as a human studying at the humans is not objective as it is viewed from our own viewpoint and associated biases.

Question 9

Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle

Answer 9

Heisenberg uncertainty principle in the quantum world is accuracy with which we could know the position and momentum of an object such as electron is limited by this principle. There is a reciprocal relationship between the position and momentum. This is a kind of experimenter effect as the presence of the experimenter changes the behaviour of what is observed even in Physics.

Question 10

Subjective method

Answer 10

Some psychologists advocates the use of a more subjective qualitative method. Still scientific as they want to produce valid results. Perhaps the way to decide in science is appropriate in psychology as results in mental illnesses had at best modest results. Therefore there is not only the concern whether or not psychology is a science but more deeply seated philosophical debate on containing whether or not psychology should ever attempt to be a science.