Features of science

• Feature 1; Use of empirical methods

  • The word science comes from the latin word "knowledge"
  • It refers to what we know to be true rather than what we believe to be true
  • This can be seen through objective results and a way of getting this is through direct testing methods like questionnaires or experiments
• Feature 2: Theory construction and hypothesis testing

  • A theory is a general set of rules or principles that explain a certain behaviour
  • Theories are made after gathering evidence from an observation
  • Theories are then used for precise predictions AKA a hypothesis
  • A hypothesis is then tested
  • If the results of the experiment support the hypothesis, then it is strengthened
  • If the results do not support it, then the hypothesis is changed and modified
• Feature 3: Theories must have falsifiability

  • What separates science from non-science is that it is falsifiable
  • One famous example given is by Popper who said that you can't prove things right but you can prove them false
  • if all swans are hypothesised to be white, then you wouldn't try to gather every white swan as one black swan disproves the theory
  • The more studies we have proving a result, the more likely we have confidence in it
• Feature 4: Studies must be objective and in controlled conditions

  • Studies must be empirical and under controlled conditions
  • It is therefore not affected by the researcher expectations
  • This means that the psychologist must not show any biases or opinion
• Feature 5: Studies must have replicability

  • Replicability refers to the study's findings being reproduced by the researcher
  • Researchers must publish their findings and procedure for possible replication
  • The validity of a study can be checked through the repeating of different situations and circumstances.
  • This means that it will show if the findings are generalisable to everyone
  • If the findings can be repeated through a different set of p's, then it is generalisable
• Feature 6: Field of study must have Paradigm and paradigm shifts

  • Paradigms are general theories that are accepted by the majority in that specific field
  • Paradigms are not fixed and can change if there is enough contradicting evidence against the current paradigm
  • Kuhn used a duck-rabbit illusion to show how different people might view the same thing
  • Kuhn argued that science should be treated as a pre-science as it has not accepted paradigms
  • However, the introspection to controlled lab method is an example of how it changes.
• What is one strength of the scientific approach?

  • It uses objective and controlled methods
  • Empirical data is produced, used to support theories
  • It allows control of variables so it is possible to establish causes of behaviour
  • Cause and effect can be inferred
• What is another strength of the scientific method?

  • The use of science means that psychology is constantly updating as new knowledge is discovered
  • If scientific theories do not apply, they are modified or abandoned
  • Thus psychology knowledge constantly improves and updates
• What is one weakness of the scientific method that you might agree with?


  • Human behaviour cannot be tested scientifically
  • We don't live in controlled conditions or labs so it is inappropriate
  • Scientific testing is artificial and findings may not apply to real life
  • Therefore, the findings may not generalise to real life.
• What is another weakness of the scientific method?

  • It cannot test human behaviour empirically
  • Many human behaviours cannot be measured accurately through this
  • Psychology uses lots of inferences to make conclusions about behaviour.
  • Cognitive psychology might use the scientific method but psychologists are unable to analyse the inner mental processes
  • Therefore data that is collected, may not be relevant to the theory