Features of science

• (AO1) What is the acronym?

  The Prof =

  T - Theory construction

  H - Hypothesis Testing

  E - Empiricism

  
  

  P - Paradigm / Paradigm shift

  R - Replicability

  O - Objectivity

  F - Falsifiability
• (AO1) THE - Theories, constructed, hypothesis, empirical

  Modern psychology have been shown to use multiple scientific concepts.

  
  

  Theories (a set of rules to explain behaviour) are constructed.

  
  

  This then forms testable predictions known as a hypothesis.

  
  

  Next, to then observe the evidence, empirical testing is used so the theories can be proposed.
• (AO1) P - Paradigm / paradigm shift

  Psychology moves in paradigm and paradigm shifts.

  
  

  A paradigm = particular set of assumptions within a subject, such as a science.

  
  

  A paradigm shift = Created by philosopher Thomas Kuhn, occurs when enough new evidence emerges to then challenge and replace the current paradigm.

  
  

  Example = when humans discovered that world was not flat but in fact round.
• (AO1) R - Replicable

  Next, another important aspect within science is that research should be made replicable.

  
  

  This is the ability to repeat psychological studies in order to check that the findings of the study are reliable.
• (AO1) O - Objectivity 


  Objectivity is also another factor to consider.

  
  

  This refers to factors being free from biases.

  
  

  Example = psychologists should not allow their personal biases affect the results of their studies.

  
  

  To effectively achieve this, a double-blind procedure could be used. This means that only the person who originally designed the experiment knows the true aim.
• (AO1) F - Falsifiability

  Lastly, the philosopher Karl Popper argued that in order for a theory to be truly scientific, it must be falsifiable.

  
  

  This relates to the fact that theories which survive repeated attempts to prove it wrong can be accepted as being very likely to be true.

  
  

  Example = Freud’s concepts of the personality have been criticised for not being falsifiable as they are abstract and cannot be measures, thus provides wrong. Therefore, some psychologists view psychodynamic ideas as unscientific concepts.