Debates-Psychology as a science

Question 1

The three Features of a science

Answer 1

objectivity
falsifiabilty
Repeatability

Question 2

OBJECTIVITY

Answer 2

The findings are a matter of fact, rather than opinion

Question 3

FALSIFIABILITY

Answer 3

In principle, it would be possible to prove the findings false

Question 4

REPLICABILITY

Answer 4

If the study is repeated and the same results are obtained

Question 5

Scientific core studies

Answer 5

Loftus and Palmer’s research:
Gained objective data (mean speed estimated and number of people who reported seeing broken glass)
Was falsifiable as the standardised procedure could be replicated again to prove false

Bandura’s research:
Gained objective data (number of aggressive acts shown by the children tihin stage 3)
Was falsifiable as the standardised procedure could be replicated again to prove false

Question 6

Non-scientific studies

Answer 6

Freud’s study of Little Hans can be argued to be unscientific as:

The procedure wasn’t very replicable due to the lack of controls and very specific sample used

It is impossible to prove Freud’s results false as he is finding
reasoning from the unconscious mind

The data collected was very
subjective and can be interpreted in many different ways

Question 7

Subjects that are sciences

Answer 7

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Geology
Archeology
Maths

Question 8

Subjects that are not sciences

Answer 8

Art
Drama
Textiles
Graphics
Music
Media

Question 9

Benefits of research being scientific

Answer 9

• Quantitative data is often gathered which can be analysed to see significant effects
• Scientific research is less vulnerable to being affected by researcher bias
• Scientific research typically involves the use of laboratory experiments that enables cause and effect to be inferred
• Controlled laboratory experiments can be replicated to see if finding are reliable

Question 10

Drawbacks of research being scientific

Answer 10

• Scientific research if often lacking in qualitative data (and therefore is explanatory power’s reduced).
• The research is often reductionist because it tries to test the impact of a single factor; as such, it can miss out other factors that might be involved
• Scientific studies are often conducted in tightly controlled laboratory settings, which can reduce the ecological validity of findings.