Psychology as a science

Question 1

2 positions of the debate

Answer 1

• psychology can be a science
• psychology can not be a science

Question 2

psychology can be a science

Answer 2

can objectively teat cause and effect using experiments and scientific equipment

Question 3

psychology can not be a science

Answer 3

studies variables that are too complex to manipulate or control, only do quasi and relies on subjective observations and self report

Question 4

what is science?

Answer 4

a method of discovering objective truths about the causes and effects

Question 5

what are other some methods of understanding truth?

Answer 5

personal beliefs, personal experience

Question 6

what are some of the other ways to understand truth?

Answer 6

personal experience and beliefs

Question 7

what are the features of science?

Answer 7

cause and effect, replicability, control and standardisation, manipulating variables, objective, hypothesis testing, quantifiable measurements, falsifiable, induction and deduction

Question 8

why is cause and effect needed for science?

Answer 8

science focuses on the relationship between variables

Question 9

why is replicability needed for science?

Answer 9

only be repeatedly gathering similar results can scientists be sure previous studies weren’t biased

Question 10

why is manipulation of variables needed for science?

Answer 10

need to intervene and change a condition, to know what causes any effect on the participants in the condition

Question 11

why is control and standardisation needed for science?

Answer 11

• only by keeping the variables the same can scientists be sure that changes in the DV are caused by the IV
• can’t replicate if the procedure isn’t consistent

Question 12

why is quantifiable measurements needed for science?

Answer 12

it is needed for objective comparisons between 2 conditions

Question 13

what is falsifiability?

Answer 13

when something has the potential set of results to be proven wrong, therefore it can be proven right

Question 14

what is objectivity?

Answer 14

studying the real factual world, not opinions

Question 15

what is induction?

Answer 15

when you use specific evidence to form general theories

Question 16

what is deduction?

Answer 16

when you use general theories

Question 17

what is deduction?

Answer 17

using a general theory to predict specific evidence

Question 18

what is an example of induction and deduction?

Answer 18

alien example - red and purple aliens
- observing that the red aliens tend to be taller
- forming the general theory that red aliens are taller than purple
- a group of red and purple aliens are going to walk into a room
- based on our theory we predict the red aliens will be taller

Question 19

strengths of being scientific

Answer 19

• lack of bias, more objective and valid
• practical cause and effect, improves understanding and real benefits

Question 20

weaknesses of being scientific

Answer 20

• reductionism weaknesses, infinite regress and not appropriate for humans
• unrealistic environment, lacks ecological validity

Question 21

strengths of not being scientific

Answer 21

• holism strength, no infinite regress and appropriate for humans
• realistic environments, has ecological validity

Question 22

weaknesses of not being scientific

Answer 22

• biased, subjective and lacks internal validity
• lack of practical cause and effect, less useful in real world