Is Psychology a Is Psychology a Science?Science?

Is Psychology a Is Psychology a Science?Science?BATsBATs Outline the key features of science and Outline the key features of science and

the scientific methodthe scientific method Understand the meaning of the terms Understand the meaning of the terms

falsification and paradigms and apply falsification and paradigms and apply them.them.

Recognise the limitations to the scientific Recognise the limitations to the scientific approach to Psychology and describe approach to Psychology and describe alternative approaches in psychology alternative approaches in psychology

synoptic points – reductionist and determinist

What is Science?What is Science?

A way of finding out about our worldA way of finding out about our world Uncovers facts we can rely on so we can Uncovers facts we can rely on so we can

control our world e.g treat schizophrenia, control our world e.g treat schizophrenia, relieve stress, make a nuclear bomb!relieve stress, make a nuclear bomb!

If knowledge is not true we will not If knowledge is not true we will not succeed in controlling what we want to succeed in controlling what we want to control.control.

So … we have the Scientific method to So … we have the Scientific method to ensure we get it right!!ensure we get it right!!

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

Empiricism Empiricism – –

info gained by direct observation or info gained by direct observation or experiment rather than reasoned experiment rather than reasoned argument or unfounded beliefsargument or unfounded beliefs

Objectivity Objectivity – – Objective Objective observations and measurements. observations and measurements. Expectations should not affect Expectations should not affect what is recordedwhat is recorded

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

Replicability Replicability – –

Increase validity of research by replication. Increase validity of research by replication. Even better if research replicated by Even better if research replicated by different scientists and same results different scientists and same results obtained. Importance of careful, detailed obtained. Importance of careful, detailed methods.methods.

ControlControl - - Aim to show causal Aim to show causal relationships to help them predict and relationships to help them predict and control our world. IV varied and effect on control our world. IV varied and effect on DV observed. ‘Fair test’ – all other possible DV observed. ‘Fair test’ – all other possible variables controlled.variables controlled.

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

Theory ConstructionTheory ConstructionFacts used to construct theories to Facts used to construct theories to

help us understand and predict help us understand and predict natural phenomena around us.natural phenomena around us.

A theory is a collection of general A theory is a collection of general principles that explain observations principles that explain observations and facts.and facts. A good theory is

one that can be empirically

tested

The Scientific ProcessThe Scientific Process

InductionInductionObservationObservation

hypothesishypothesis

TestTest

TheoryTheory

The Scientific ProcessThe Scientific Process

DeductioDeductionn

Observation Observation TheoryTheory

HypothesisHypothesis

Test Test

ConclusionConclusione.g. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Hypothetico-deductive Hypothetico-deductive modelmodel Karl Popper (1935)Karl Popper (1935) Theories/laws about the world should Theories/laws about the world should

come firstcome first Used to make expectations/hypotheses Used to make expectations/hypotheses

which can be FALSIFIEDwhich can be FALSIFIED

‘‘No amount of observations of white No amount of observations of white swans can allow the inference that all swans can allow the inference that all swans are white, but the observation of swans are white, but the observation of a single black swan is sufficient to a single black swan is sufficient to refute that conclusion.’refute that conclusion.’

Over to you …Over to you …

In groups or individually create a In groups or individually create a poster or leaflet to outline the poster or leaflet to outline the major features of Science to major features of Science to include include empiricism, objectivity, empiricism, objectivity, replicability, control and replicability, control and theory constructiontheory construction..

Or the scientific process to include Or the scientific process to include induction and deductioninduction and deduction

15-20mins

max

Induction or Induction or Deduction?Deduction? Look through the research you Look through the research you

have studied on addiction or have studied on addiction or SchizophreniaSchizophrenia

Find an example of Induction and Find an example of Induction and DeductionDeduction

Extension – see q6 p277Extension – see q6 p277 5-10mins5-10mins

The Scientific Approach is The Scientific Approach is Reductionist and Reductionist and DeterministDeterminist How is this the case?How is this the case? Use p277 to help you answer this Use p277 to help you answer this

questionquestion 5-10mins5-10mins

Can Psychology Claim Can Psychology Claim to be a Science?to be a Science? On a piece of paper draw round On a piece of paper draw round

your hands your hands

On one hand jot down all the arguments for Psychology being a science

On the other hand jot down all the arguments against Psychology being a science

Include – Kuhn’s views, nomothetic and idiographic approaches e.t.c see page 277

Let’s have a debate!Let’s have a debate!

If you have been given If you have been given number 1number 1 you will need to argue that you will need to argue that Psychology Psychology cancan be classed as a be classed as a ScienceScience

Number 2Number 2 people have to argue people have to argue that Psychology that Psychology should notshould not be be classed as a Scienceclassed as a ScienceEach of you should offer an argument for or against to try to convince the other side your argument is best!!

So what do we think?