LS5/6 - Features Of Science Flashcards
Science
A systematic approach to creating knowledge, it’s systematic/controlled nature means we can rely on it and predict/control the world.
What Is Psychology?
The scientific study of the mind and behaviour.
Objectivity
Dealing with facts in a way that is unaffected by beliefs, opinions, feelings or expectations. Researchers should always be objective, so they don’t influence the research conducted in the first place, this will also increase the reliability of results.
Empirical methods
The use of objective, quantitative observation in a systematically controlled, replicable situation, in order to test or refine a theory. It suggests that in order to create knowledge, it has to be empirically tested and verified,
Replicability
The extent to which the findings of research can be repeated in different contexts and circumstances. If data is replicable it’s scientific, and the findings are easy to validate.
Other Uses Of Replicability
Guarding Against Scientific Fraud
Checking That Results Weren’t A Fluke
Tests Reliability
Indicates Research Findings Are Valid
Falsifiability
Popper defines this as the notion that scientific theories can potentially be disproved by evidence, it refers to proving a hypothesis wrong. He suggested that scientific theories should be tested to be proven to be false/incorrect.
Poppers Main Belief
If falsification cannot be achieved, the theory can’t have derived from a true scientific discipline, which should instead be regarded as a pseudoscience. Therefore, the psychodynamic approach casts doubt on the scientific rigour of psychology
Theory
A collection of general principles that explain observations and facts.
Theory Construction
Theories are constructed via hypothesis testing/retesting, they’re based on the results of range of work by a range of researchers. A scientific theory must be testable/falsifiable.
Deductive Reasoning
This involves having a theory then devising a hypothesis. Researchers then test this theory using empirical methods, at which point conclusions are drawn from the data.
Hypothetico-Deductive Model
Popper’s model suggesting that theories/laws about the world should come first and then hypothesis should be generated and tested to see if the theory/law is correct.
Inductive Reasoning
A researcher observes natural phenomenon, and then comes up with a hypothesis which is then tested and conclusions are drawn from the research, from which a theory is generated about the topic/area being investigated.
Hypothesis Testing
This is how theories are developed and modified. A good theory should generate testable predictions, and if the research doesn’t support these then the theory needs to be adjusted in some way.
Paradigm
A shared set of assumptions and agreed methods that are found within scientific disciplines.
Kuhn
Suggested what distinguishes scientific and non-scientific disciplines is the presence of paradigms.
Psychology As A Science (Paradigms)
Psychology doesn’t have universal acceptance of paradigms and therefore can be viewed as a pre-science.
Paradigm Shift (Kuhn)
When the result of a scientific revolution occurs. A significant change in the dominant unifying theory of a scientific discipline occurs and causes a paradigm shift.
1st Stage Paradigm Shift
Some researchers might question the accepted paradigm and might have contradictory research, counter evidence might gain popularity, which could cause the present paradigm might be overthrown due to the emergence of a new one.
2nd Stage Paradigm Shift
An established science makes rapid progress and a scientific revolution occurs due to the paradigm shift.
