What do we cover in section C?

Unit 4 research methods Explain the key features of scientific investigation and discuss whether psychology can be defined as a science. Empiricism Objectivity Subjectivity Replicability Inductive reasoning Deductive reasoning Theory construction Falsifiability Paradigm Write these key words down in your book The scientific method

Learning outcomes Explain the distinction between inductive and deductive reasoning Explain what is meant by ‘the scientific method’ Explain how theory is constructed in Psychology, including the views of Kuhn & Popper Describe the arguments for/against psychology as a science Explain what the researcher must consider when carrying out research (the main features of science)

Questions on inferential statistical tests. You only need to be interpret not do any calculations

You might be given an experiment / study and then a number of small questions about research methods used in that study

Given a study and write out a full study brief.

Key words/ concepts for this lesson Empiricism Objectivity Subjectivity Replicability Inductive reasoning Deductive reasoning Theory construction Falsifiability Paradigm

Explain the distinction between inductive and deductive reasoning Read the section on page 274 on the scientific process. Write your own example of Induction and Deduction INDUCTION Mainly used pre-twentieth century Observing something that happens in the world and producing theories to help explain why they happen. Example: Newton’s laws DEDUCTION Starting with a theory and finding evidence to confirm this theory. Example: Darwin’s theory of evolution

Observation Testable Hypothesis Propose theory Conduct a study to test the hypothesis Create Testable Hypothesis Draw conclusions Conduct a study to test the hypothesis Propose theory Draw conclusions InductionDeduction

Theory – All swans are white. Is this true? How do you know?

Falsification = The only way to prove a theory correct is to seek disproof. So how do you disprove all swans are white?

Explain how theory is constructed in Psychology, including the views of Kuhn & Popper Popper (1935) argues that theories and laws about the world should come before predictions and hypotheses are made. Popper argued that we can only find our theories to be true if our hypotheses can be falsified Popper’s view: We can only be certain that we are correct in our hypothesis if we have proved that we are not wrong instead of simply proving that we are right. The Null-Hypothesis This leads us to develop, not only an experimental hypothesis, but a null-hypothesis which states what the result might be due to. If we test and reject this we can be certain that our prediction was right Task: Write an example of an experimental hypothesis and a null-hypothesis.

Explain what is meant by ‘the scientific method’ You develop or refine an explanation of this phenomenon, eg. They are getting more vitamins than those who do not do as well You test your explanation empirically. You observe something that occurs eg. People who have a balanced diet do better at school From your results you can see whether your explanation was correct. Observation Develop your theory and your hypothesis Test your hypothesis Observe your results and check if your findings match with your theory If not, refine your theory What ever the result, this is known as scientific knowledge

Explain how theory is constructed in Psychology, including the views of Kuhn & Popper Kuhn (1962) argued that psychology could not be considered to be a science as it has not one paradigm He argued that psychology has several paradigms/ approaches: Cognitive, biological, behaviourist – there are several simultaneous ways of explaining any one phenomenon or behaviour Kuhn therefore argued that psychology is a pre- science. Task: Use the section on p275 to come up with another two theories that help you answer this question: Can psychology claim to be a science?

Scientific research Is desireable Psychology uses scientific methods. Miller (1983) – Psychologists are ‘dressing up’ It is just a pseudoscience that claims to find facts. Lack of objectivity and control – Humans are not just physical objects. They react to the researcher compromising validity. But this happens in hard sciences too. Heisenberg (1927) argues even studying a subatomic particle alters it’s ‘behaviour’ doing the measurement.

Explain what the researcher must consider when carrying out research Scientific knowledge must be based on Empirical data The researcher and the research must be objective The investigations must be replicable In order to draw valid conclusions scientists must control the experimental conditions Facts and observations must be used to construct theories

Consolidation Answer the learning question: Explain the key features of scientific investigation and discuss whether psychology can be defined as a science.

Idiographic and Nomothetic Idiographic approach - Each participant is treated as an individual and generalisations aren't made. Nomothetic - Looks to make generalisations about people and find similarities.

Apply your knowledge question Harriet’s mother is always telling her that blondes have more fun. Harriet is studying Psychology and explains to her mother that something isn’t true just because you believe it to be so. Outline how Harriet could use her knowledge of the features of science to explain what is wrong with her mother’s argument (6 marks)

Empiricism

Objectivity

Subjectivity

Replicability

Inductive reasoning

Deductive reasoning

Theory construction

Falsifiability

Paradigm

Null Hypothesis

Experimental hypothesis

Check you have understood all the learning outcomes: – Explain the distinction between inductive and deductive reasoning – Explain what is meant by ‘the scientific method’ – Explain how theory is constructed in Psychology, including the views of Kuhn & Popper – Describe the arguments for/against psychology as a science – Explain what the researcher must consider when carrying out research (the main features of science)