Psychology as a science

Question 1

What is the first feature of psychology as a science?

Answer 1

• Falsifiability - It is the principle that a proposition or theory could only be considered scientific if in principle it was possible to establish it as false

Through hypothesis testing, experimental methods, cause and effect

Question 2

What is the second feature of psych as a science?

Answer 2

Objectivity - Scientific and not open to interpretation

• Quantitative measures, factual, free from subjective opinion

Question 3

What is the third feature of psych as a science?

Answer 3

Replicability - means that a study should produce the same results if repeated exactly, either by the same researcher or by another

• Standardised procedures, reliability/consistency in measuring behaviour

Question 4

What are three strengths of the psych as a science debate?

Answer 4

• Determinism: Falsifiability
• Replicability: Reliable/consistent
• Objectivity: valid/accurate

Question 5

What are the two weaknesses of the psych as a science debate?

Answer 5

• Reductionism: experimental method (often), behaviour is due to a range of factors (holism)
• Not useful: low ecological validity.. not reflective of real-life behaviours and situations