Psychology as a science Flashcards
Issues and Debates
What does the positive side of the debated argue?
Psychology is a science as research tries to use features of science (objectivity, controls, variables etc).
What does the negative side of the debated argue?
Psychology is not a science (research can be subjective).
What is the empirical method?
The process of collecting and organising data and drawing conclusions about this data through observation and experiments.
Why is psychology not as precise in their measurements as Biology, Chemistry and Physics are?
There are so many variables involved in human behaviour.
What is psychology?
The scientific study of the mind and behaviour.
What is Induction?
When you observe something and then develop a theory.
Give the steps of induction.
- Observation of behaviour made
- Patterns in behaviour made
- Hypotheses formed
- Theories formed
What is Deduction?
When you develop a theory and then observe the behaviour/ phenomenon.
Give the steps of deduction.
- Idea/ theory formed
- Hypotheses formed
- Observations/ experiments
- Confirmation of theory
What is Objectivity?
When research is based on facts, not opinions.
How does Objectivity make research scientific?
It is based on facts, like science.
What is Replicability?
Helps to see if the same results could occur again.
How does Replicability make research scientific?
Someone else may find results that support/ don’t support previous findings.
What is Cause and Effect?
Scientific research should manipulate the IV to observe its effect on the DV.
How does Cause and Effect make research scientific?
Manipulating variables (like in science) helps to see what is affecting the outcome/ behaviour.
