Features of science

• What are the 5 features of science?

  • Paradigm and paradigm shifts
  • Theory construction and hypothesis testing
  • Falsifiability
  • Replicability
  • Objectivity/empirical method
• What is a paradigm?

  A set of shared assumptions and agreed methods within a scientific discipline
• What is a paradigm shift?

  The result of a scientific revolution: a significant change in the dominant unifying theory within a scientific discipline
• What is theory construction?

  • A theory is a set of general laws and principles that can explain events/behaviours
  • Theory construction occurs through gathering evidence via direct observation (empirical method)
  • A theory should be a simple and economical principle that reflects reality
  • E.g. idea STM has limited capacity, we can see this reality
• What is hypothesis testing?

  • Theories should be able to be scientifically tested
  • Theories should produce multiple hypothesis which can be tested through systematic and objective methods
  • If a theory needs work after testing it will be revised and revisited (deduction)
• What is deduction?

  Where a new hypothesis is devised from an existing theory
• What is the inductive phase?

  Where observations yield information that is used to formulate theories as explanations
• What is the deductive phase?

  Predictions made from theories, in the form of testable hypotheses. Tested and yield data that is analysed leading to theory adjustment
• How can researchers maintain objectivity?

  • Keeping a critical distance during research
  • Do not allow personal opinion to make data biased
  • Methods should be controlled (e.g. lab experiment)
• What is the empirical method?

  • scientific approaches that are based on gathering evidence through direct observation and experience
  • A theory cannot be scientific unless it has been empirically tested and verified
• Importance of replicability?

  • Replication can help to see the reliability of methods and assess the validity of findings as repeating a study can indicate which findings can be generalised
  • For replication to be possible psychologists must report their investigations with as much precision as possible so other researchers can seek to verify their work
• Importance of falsifiability?

  • Genuine scientific theories should hold themselves up for the possibility of being proved false and hypothesis testing
  • Theories that became the strongest were the ones that survived most attempts to falsify
  • This is why an alternative hypothesis must always be accompanied by a null hypothesis (for falsifiability)
• LIMITATION- psychology has a lack of a singular accepted paradigm

  • Kuhn argued that psychology lacks an accepted paradigm, therefore cannot be considered a 'normal science'
  • Psychology may be more of a pre-science due to multiple theoretical perspectives that argue different ideas
  • For example opposing approaches such as the behaviourist approach as a nomothetic approach focusing on the role of the envrionment on behaviour
  • Humanistic approach is opposite with idiographic approaches and a focus on free will rather than env determinism
  • Therefore, the diversity of theories and approaches undermines the idea of psychology having a unified paradigm- a key feature of normal science (calls into q credibility)
• LIMITATION- lack of objectivity and empirical methods (AO3)

  • Many psychologists tend to use subjective, non-standardised methods to study complex concepts
  • This can be seen in studies such as Freud and his reliance on case studies (small sample sizes resulting in inferences having to be made)
  • Zimbardo and acting as both an observer and prison warden etc.
  • This may call into question the validity of psychological findings and their generalisability as established sciences remain objective and rely on statistical data to reach conclusions - some psychologists do not do this
  • However it can alternatively be suggested that some psychological theories must be studied in this way (using inferences) due to a lack of empirical ability -> therefore provides a way to study unobservable concepts
• STRENGTH- psychology as a science with practical applications

  • Psychology allows us to understand everyday human behaviour above our notion of common sense
  • Many key-findings have been counter-intuitive to what our common-sense has predicted and therefore has benefitted us as a developing species
  • By following a scientific model of enquiry psychology has greater credibility and can be on equal footing with other established sciences in contrast to its notion as a 'pre-science'
  • Practical apps include treatments for neural disorders, mental illnesses, offending behaviour etc.
  • Therefore has greatly contributed to the scientific justification and explanation of behaviours through theory constructions and testing -> therefore a strength as a credible science