AO1 - Psychology as a science

• The scientific method conducts experimental research to make a conclusion about behaviour. This can then be evaluated.
• The different approaches in Psychology are known as paradigms.
• Empirical evidence refers to data collected through direct observation or experiment.
• Features of science developed by the biological and learning approach.

  • Falsifiable
  • Replicable
  • Objective
  • General Laws
  • Systematic
• The experimental method is a scientific method that involves the manipulation of variables to determine cause and effect.
• Falsifiable 


  Evidence can be refuted ( proven wrong by new evidence)
• Replicable


  Method can be easily repeated to achieve the same results.
• Objective 


  An unbiased view of the theory/approach
• General Laws


  The research/ theory should provide general laws about psychology that can be used as a paradigm.
• Systematic


  An objective, well - ordered method for close examination of an aspect of behaviour so as to get reliable data, unbiased by observers.
• The scientific process involves formulating theories, generating hypotheses, and testing them through observations and experiments.
• Wilhelm Wundt established the first Psychology lab in 1879.
• The Humanistic approach rejects the scientific viewpoint and values subjective conscious experience.
• The hypothetico-deductive model is a cyclic pattern of reasoning and observation used to generate and test proposed explanations.
• The hypothetico-deductive model


  Observation --> Theory --> Testing --> Findings

  
  

  *after findings observations are made or the theory is modified and the cycle starts again