Features of Science

Question 1

Paradigms and paradigm shifts

Answer 1

paradigm- suggested by Kuhn : shared set of assumptions and methods is what distinguishes from scientific disciplines and non.

psychology has too much internal disagreement and too many conflicting approaches to qualify as a science so is a pre-science

paradigm shift- when researchers begin to question accepted paradigm, critique gains popularity and there is the P shift.

it occurs when there is too much contradicting evidence

Question 2

Theory construction and hypothesis testing

Answer 2

theory - set of general laws/ principles have the ability to explain particular behaviour/ events , essential component is that it can be scientifically tested , they should suggest a number of hypotheses

theory construction - gathering evidence vi direct observation

Question 3

Falsifiability

Answer 3

Popper argued key criterion for scientific theory is falsifiability - genuine scientific theories should go through hypothesis testing - possibility of being proved false

things not yet proved false

good science - theories which are constantly challenged and potentially falsified

pseudosciences- cannot be falsified

theories which survive most attempts of falsification are strongest

Question 4

replicability

Answer 4

findings must be repeatable across number of different contexts and circumstances

has important role in the validity, repeating a study over different contexts and circumstances can see the extent findings can be generalised

• for this to happen researchers need to report their findings with rigour

Question 5

objectivity and empirical method

Answer 5

objectivity needs to be prioritised

must not allow personal opinions/ biases to discolour evidence and influence behaviour of participants they are studying - lab experiments have the greatest control . most objective

objectivity is basis of the empirical method
- experimental method and observational method are good examples of empirical method in psychology