WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES PSYCHOLOGY A SCIENCE?

Brainstorm…. Common sense Psychology Psychology as a Science where people collect information about behavior in an informal way leads to inaccurate conclusions! - aims to avoid inaccurate conclusions by using the scientific method!

The Scientific method Relies on a systematic approach (step by step) to all aspects of research Relies on empirical evidence (data collected through observation or experimentation Makes conclusions based on empirical evidence (hopefully free from personal biases Repeats research to ensure that results are reliable and can be applied to different situation (this process is called replication)

Horoscopes Investigation Most people know that zodiac signs are tied to general personality descriptions. Many people also know personality traits are tied to their own personal zodiac sign. But….can horoscopes be used as a scientific analysis of personality?

Horoscopes Investigation In this investigation, you will be provided with a list of personality descriptions from each of the 12 zodiac signs. You must pick the one that sounds most like you AND write a justify why you chose that sign.

Horoscopes Investigation AIM: One sentence that describes what you are doing and/ or what you want to find out Aims generally start with “To…..” What is our aim? HYPOTHESIS: A sentence explaining what you think will happen Your prediction, what you think will happen“ Hypothesis generally start with “That…” What is your hypothesis

Horoscopes Investigation MATERIALS: A list of everything you used to complete your experiment Horoscopes handout: a list of personality descriptors from each of the 12 signs of the zodiac. Answer sheet

Horoscopes Investigation PROCEDURE: A step by step process explaining how to conduct (do) your experiment Each participant was given a copy of the horoscope descriptions. Participants were asked to rate each statement on how “like me” they were using a scale from 1 (not like me at all) – 5(extremely like me) Results were tallied for the group

Horoscopes Investigation RESULTS: Summary of main results, can be displayed using tables, charts, graphs, or calculations. DISCUSSION: describe and explain results, was the hypothesis accepted/rejected based on the results. CONCLUSION: finishes the discussion with a statement about the meaning of the results.- Revisit your aim.

What is a Pseudo Science? a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method The general scientific community believe that pseudo sciences are often inaccurate and fictional due to their methodology and subsequent results. The following are some common forms of pseudo science. They all claim to explain and predict the world and events and yet they all are found lacking when examined using rigorous scientific method!

Pseudo Science Extra Sensory Perception Telepathy – the alleged ability to communicate with another person mentally (without speaking or using gestures) Clairvoyance – the alleged ability to perceive physical objects and events occurring in the past present and future at a distance and through physical barriers Precognition – alleged ability to predict the future Psychokinesis – the alleged ability to influence or control an external event or object through thought processes alone

Pseudo Science Other Astrology – attempts to explain and predict human behaviour and life events as influenced by the position of the stars and planets Palmistry – uses the lines on ones hand to explain ones thoughts feelings behaviour and life events Phrenology – Examines the bumps on ones skull to predict personality, intelligence and behaviour Numerology – involves examining significant numbers in ones life to predict future events

Psychology Unit 1 Outcome 1 – What is Psychology You should be able to describe how research has informed different psychological perspectives used to explain human behaviour, and explain visual perception through these perspectives. Outcome 2 – Lifespan Psychology - You should be able to describe and investigate a range of classic and contemporary Psychological Development Theories.