Is psychology a science

Question 1

Against

Answer 1

• Not possible for humans to be studied objectively
• Not all approaches are falsifiable
• There should be one paradigm that is widely accepted
• Overt observations have the potential for demand characteristics- lowering validity
• Influential theories like Freud’s lack empiricism, because they happen at an unconscious level
• High levels of control can produce artificial situations that aren’t generalizable to real life- low ecological validity
• Quantitive data can be reductionistic- from oversimplification

Question 2

For

Answer 2

• For theories to be published they have to meet the scientific criterium of falsification
• Paradigms can be agreed upon
• The subject is based on research and investigation and cause and effect relationships are established in environments with high levels of control
• Methods are scientific, empirical (through observation, not hypothesis), and replicable
• Quantitive data is produced and is easy to compare and analyze