Psychology as a science

Question 1

FORE

Answer 1

Falsifiability- possibility of false hypothesis via testing
Objectivity- measurements affect by researcher expectations
Replicability- accurate recording of procedures to allow reliable replication
Empirical methods- using observation/testing to gain knowledge

Question 2

1900s- Early behaviourists rejected introspection

Answer 2

Introspections was subjective as it is personal perspective
Behaviourist- scientific psychology should only study observable phenomena

Question 3

1930s- Behaviourist scientific approach dominated

Answer 3

Skinner brought language +rigour
Behaviourist- observable empirical data about learning and the use of controlled lab studies
->dominated for 50 yrs

Question 4

1950s- Cognitive approach studied mental processes scientifically

Answer 4

Cognitive psychologist likened the mind to a computer and tested memory and attention predictions using experiments

Question 5

1980s- Biological approach introduced technological advances

Answer 5

Bio psychologists took advantage of recent tech advances, including scanning

Question 6

Strengths of psychology as a science

Answer 6

SCIENTIFIC CLAIM
used controlled environments like labs and unbiased replicable methods like standardised instructions- allow for replication= reliability=validity

Question 7

Weaknesses of psychology as a science

Answer 7

SUBJECTIVE METHODS + DATA
humanistic approach= no formulation of general laws of behaviour
psychodynamic approach= case studies, unrepresentative samples
humans= demand characteristics
EXPERIMENTAL REDUCTIONISM
complex behaviour reduced to isolated variable for testing- explains behaviour but ignores other influences