7. Features of Science

• 1. Features of Science

  Scientific Method:

  Wundt’s new ‘scientific‘ approach to psychology based on 2 major assumptions.

  • All behaviour seen as being caused (determined).
  • If determined/caused, then should be possible to predict how humans would behave in different conditions (predictability).
• 2. Features of Science

  What is the scientific method?

  Use of investigative methods that are…

  • Objective.
  • Systematic.
  • Replicable.
• 3. Features of Science

  Objectivity:

  • Scientists aim to be objective in investigations.
  • Keep ‘critical distance’ in research.
  • No personal opinions/biases.
  • High control e.g. lab exp.
• 3a. Features of Science

  Objectivity - Empirical Method:

  • Empirical method emphasises importance of data collection based on direct, sensory experience.
  • Experimental method + observational method are good examples of empirical method.
  • Theory can‘t be scientific unless empirically tested + verified (by experiment or observation).
• 4. Features of Science

  Replicability:

  • Determines validity of findings (Poppers hypothetic-deductive method).
  • If scientific theory ’trusted’, findings from it must be shown to be repeatable across diff contexts (generalisability).
• 5. Features of Science

  Falsifiability:

  • 1930s, Karl Popper asserted key criterion of scientific theory is falsifiability.
  • Popper suggested scientific theories should be up for hypothesis testing + possibility of being proven false.
  • Believed even when scientific principle successfully/repeatedly tested, not necessarily true.
  • Alternative hypothesis must be accompanied by null hypothesis.
  • Pseudoscience = can’t be falsified.
• 6. Features of Science

  Theory Construction + Hypothesis Testing:

  • Test theories.
  • Theory = general laws/principles explaining events/behaviours.
  • Theory Construction = gathering evidence through direct observation, using empirical method.
• 6a. Features of Science

  Theory Construction + Hypothesis Testing:

  • Hypothesis Testing = possible to make precise predictions on basis of theory.
  • Scientifically tested.
  • Theories should suggest a number of possible hypothesis.
  • Process of deriving new hypothesis from existing theory = deduction.
• 7. Features of Science

  The Scientific Method:

  1. Formulate Question.
  2. Construct Hypothesis.
  3. Research + Observations.
  4. Test/Experiment.
  5. Analyse + Conclude.
  6. Confirm Hypothesis - Yes/No?
  7. Report (if said Yes).
  8. If said No, back to step 1.
• 8. Features of Science

  Paradigm:

  • Thomas Kuhn suggested that what distinguishes scientific disciplines from non-scientific disciplines is a shared set of assumptions = paradigm.
  • Suggestd psych lacks universally accepted paradigm; best seen as ‘pre-science’.
  • Natural sciences characterised by having number of principles at their core, accepted by most people.
  • e.g. evolution, planet orbits sun, etc.
• 8a. Features of Science

  Paradigm:

  • Kuhn, psych too many internal disagreements + too many conflicting approaches to be a science so is pre-science.
• 8b. Features of Science

  Paradigm Shift:

  • Kuhn, progress within particular science occurs when there’s a scientific revolution.
  • Group of researchers begin questioning accepted paradigm.
  • Occurs when too much contradictory evidence.
  • Kunh argues psych not undergone paradigm shift.
• 9. Features of Science

  Evaluation - Strengths:

  • Knowledge acquired using scientific methods more than just passive acceptance of facts.
  • Causes of behaviour can be established through use of methods that are empirical/replicable.
  • Scientific knowledge self-corrective meaning can be refined/abandoned.
• 9a. Features of Science

  Evaluation - Limitations:

  • Psychologists create contrived situations = artifical behaviours = lack ecological validity.
  • Subject matter unobservable, can’t be measured w/ any degree of accuracy.
  • Not all psychologists share view that human behaviour explored through scientific methods.
• 10. Features of Science

  Falsifiability - theory cannot be considered scientific unless it admits possibility of being found untrue.

  Objectivity - minimising all sources personal bias to prevent distortion/influence on research process.

  Paradigm - set of assumptions/methods within scientific discipline.
• 10a. Features of Science

  Deduction - process of deriving new hypotheses from an existing theory.

  Empirical Method - scientific process of gathering evidence through direct observation + experience.

  Replicability - extent to which scientific procedures/findings can be repeated by other researchers.

  Paradigm Shift - significant change in dominant unifying theory within scientific discipline, brought about by new findings/understandings.