features of science

• objectivity 


  the ability for researchers to remain objective, they don't let their personal opinions, judgement or biases interfere with the data

  lab experiments are the most objective method as high level of control over variables and the least objective methods are natural experiments as no control over IV/observations and content analysis as behavioural categories are subjective
• the empirical method 


  means knowledge gained from observation or experience not just theory, methods are systematic and controlled producing quantitative data

  any theory should be empirically tested to be considered scientific, empirical method is important as it reduces subjective and unfounded claims
• replicability 


  using the same standardised procedures to conduct the research again and achieving the same results, it ensures the results can be generalised to the target population so the same findings are found

  not to be confused with reliability as it refers to the consistency of the results not repeating procedures
• falsifiability 


  is when research can be refuted (disproved/proven to be wrong), all investigated have a null hypothesis which suggest that any difference or relationship is due to chance

  Popper (1934) argued falsifiability is important as scientific research can never be 'proven' to be true, only subjected to attempts to prove to be false
• example of falsifiability


  Freud's psychodynamic approach is considered pseudoscience as it cannot be falsified so it is not scientific

  cannot be falsified because if a person states they did not go through the oedipus complex then this can be countered with the argument they are in denial (defence mechanism)
• theory construction


  a theory is a set of principles that explains behaviour or events, evidence is needed (the empirical method) so the theory is objective and scientific

  the inductive process or bottom up approach is when an experiment is devised then the results lead to a theory, the deductive process or top down approach is when a theory is devised first then an experiment gives results which support or refute the hypothesis (prediction)
• hypothesis testing 


  an objective and measurable (operationalised) prediction, once a hypothesis has been tested, it can be accepted or rejected

  if the hypothesis is refuted, then alterations to the theory will be made, however, if it is supported then the theory will be strengthened
• paradigm and paradigm shifts

  it is a set of shared assumptions and methods within a discipline

  Kuhn (1962) argued psychology is a pre-science because psychologists disagree on a unified set of assumptions and methods

  a paradigm shift is when there is a scientific revolution and scientists challenge an existing paradigm so over time the paradigms assumptions change
• example of paradigm and paradigm shifts

  the cognitive approach's paradigm assumes behaviour stems from our thought processes, however a biological approach's paradigm assumes behaviour stems from our genes and hormones

  paradigm shifts in psychology develop from Freuds psychoanalytic theory to behaviourism (Pavlov and Skinner) to the cognitive approach