Features of Science

Question 1

Paradigms and Paradigm Shifts

Answer 1

Kuhn said that what distinguishes scientific disciplines from non-specific disciplines is a shared set of assumptions and methods- a paradigm.

Kuhn argued that social sciences (including psycology) lack a universally accepted paradigm and are best seen as “pre-science”, unlike natural sciences such as biology.

Paradigm shift occur, according to Kuhn, when there is a scientific revolution. A handful of researchers begin to question the accepted paradigm when there is too much contradictory evidence to ignore

Question 2

Theory

Answer 2

A set of general laws or principles that have the ability to explain particular events or behaviours

Question 3

Testing a Theory

Answer 3

Depends on being able to make clear and precise predictions on the basis of the theory.

A hypothesis can then be tested using scientific methods to determine whether it will be supported or refuted

Question 4

Deduction

Answer 4

The process of deriving a new hypothesis from an existing theory

Question 5

Falsifiability

Answer 5

Popper argued that the key criterion of a scientific theory is its falsifiability. Genuine scientific theories should hold themselves up for hypothesis testing and the possibility of being proved false.

Popper distinguished between theories which can be challenged, and what he called “pseudoscience’s” which couldn’t be falsified

Question 6

Replicability

Answer 6

Testing the validity of research results.

If a scientific theory is to be “trusted”, the findings from it must be shown to be repeatable across a number of different contexts.

By repeating a study, we can see the extent to which the findings can be generalised

Question 7

Objectivity

Answer 7

To reduce research bias.

Scientific researchers must keep a “critical distance” during research.

Methods in psychology that are associated with the greatest level of control (such as lab experiments) tend to be the most objective

Question 8

Empirical Method

Answer 8

Direct experience.

Empirical methods emphasise the importance of data collection based on direct, sensory experience.

The experimental and observational method are good examples of the empirical method in psychology.

A theory cannot claim to be scientific unless it has been empirically tested