Features of Psychology As A Science

• What reputation does psychology have among some scientists?

  Not being a proper science
• Why do many psychologists get offended by the criticism of their field?

  They believe psychology is a proper science
• What is a key characteristic of science regarding ideas?

  Ideas must be tested carefully
• How does psychology differ from biology, chemistry, and physics in research?

  Psychology studies behavior, not physical entities
• What is the most complex structure known to us?

  The brain
• How does the brain respond to observation?

  It changes its behavior
• Why is objectivity difficult in psychological research?

  Researchers may be emotionally invested
• How long has psychology been around in its present form?

  About 100 years
• What are the key features of scientific research in psychology?

  • Empirical method: Knowledge from experience
  • Objectivity: Avoiding bias in data collection
  • Control: Managing extraneous variables
  • Replicability: Standardized procedures for repetition
  • Falsifiability: Theories must be testable
• What does the empirical method rely on?

  Experience and direct observation
• What is the importance of objectivity in research?

  Avoids bias in data interpretation
• What is a systematic data collection process?

  Carefully planned and consistent gathering
• What is the double-blind technique in research?

  Another researcher collects data without bias
• What is the purpose of peer review in research?

  To identify bias and validate findings
• Why is control important in experiments?

  To demonstrate cause and effect relationships
• What does replicability in research ensure?

  Confidence in the validity of results
• What does falsifiability mean in scientific theories?

  Theories must be testable and refutable
• What example did Popper use to explain falsifiability?

  All swans are white
• What was the significance of discovering black swans?

  It falsified the theory about swan color
• Why is the concept of the soul criticized in psychology?

  It is unfalsifiable and unobservable
• What is a paradigm shift according to Thomas Kuhn?

  A significant change in scientific understanding
• What is the Copernican revolution an example of?

  A major paradigm shift in science
• How did Galileo contribute to the Copernican revolution?

  He provided empirical evidence with a telescope
• What shift occurred in psychology from Freud to behaviorism?

  Focus shifted from internal processes to behavior
• What is the current paradigm in psychology?

  Cognitive neuroscience explaining behavior interactions
• What is the inductive process of theory construction?

  Starting with observations to form theories
• What is the deductive method in research?

  Testing hypotheses based on established theories
• What increases confidence in a scientific theory?

  Withstanding attempts to test its assumptions
• What are the stages of scientific theory construction in psychology?

  1. Observation of behavior
  2. Construct testable hypotheses
  3. Collect empirical data
  4. Analyze data statistically
  5. Propose a theory based on results
• Who can access additional resources on Patreon?

  Patreon supporters at various levels