Science

• Psychology is described by the British Psychological Society as: 'The science of people, the mind and behaviour'.
• The study of a cause and effect (with an independent variable and dependent variable)- In experiments, psychologists manipulate one variable (the IV) in order to see its effect on another variable (the DV).
• Control and standardisation- The controlling of extraneous variables helps to improve the reliability and validity of hypothesis testing. Seen in questionnaires, structured interviews and lab experiments.
• Quantifiable measurements (quantitative data/ measures)- these allow the researcher to be objective. Quantitative measures also makes it much easier to standardise a procedure. Seen in experiments and correlations. (If qualitative data is used, It is essential that operational definitions are used along side it.)
• Hypothesis testing- Seen in experiments and correlations. It is vital that all hypotheses are testable.
• Manipulation of variables- seen in lab and field experiments, the independent variable is manipulated in order to see its effect on the dependent variable.
• Falsification- evidence can be used to demonstrate whether the hypothesis is true or false.
• Replicability- the extent to which the study can be repeated so that the reliability of results can be judged. The more you replicate the results of a study, the more confident you can be in the theory it underpins. Standardisation of a study also improves reliability.
• Objectivity- taking an unbiased external perspective that is not affected by an individual or personal viewpoint.
• Induction- a scientific method which uses observations to generate testable hypotheses which are then developed into theories.
• Deduction- a scientific method which develops hypotheses from theories and then tests the hypotheses (hypothesis testing).
• A strength of being scientific is it adds credibility to psychology's claim to be a scientific discipline. It could also enhance the reputation of the subject and lead to more funding for psychology.
• A weakness of being scientific is that studying a cause and effect requires controlled conditions, which results in a lack of ecological validity. This limits the genralisability of scientifically obtained findings to behaviour in natural settings.
• A strength of being less scientific is that it allows for the gathering of subjective data as we can ask for opinions and attitudes. This allows us to gather more insight into the reasons why behaviour may occur.
• A strength of being less scientific is research can be done in a setting that is ecologically valid as we can make use of naturally occuring situations/ circumstances.
• A weakness of being less scientific is findings may be less valid if collected through bias or unscientific methods.
• A weakness of being less scientific is findings may be seen as subjective or less credible as non-scientific methods have been used to collect them. This means less funding or research put towards psychology if other disciplines are seen as more credible.