G544:DEBATES IS PSYCHOLOGY A SCIENCE?

Is Psychology a Science? Where do you stand and why? Yes No Justify!!!

What is Science? 1. What do you consider are the criteria for a science? 2. What sciences are there? 3. Do they meet your criteria?

Can psychology claim to be a science? Scientific research is desirable Psychology shares the goals of all sciences, but does using the scientific method turn psychology into a science? Miller claims it is ‘dressing up’ – pseudoscience Kuhn claims it cannot be a science as it has no single paradigm unlike other sciences. A paradigm is a set of shared assumptions, in psychology there are a number of different paradigms or approaches to explaining behaviour.

Scientific method Science is: the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. According to modern definitions, science has the following features (Eysenck and Keane 1990) 1.Controlled observations: in most sciences it is typical for experiments to involve observing the effects of some specific manipulation. 2.Objectivity: even if total objectivity is impossible, it is still important for data to be collected in a way as close as objective as possible 3.Testing theoretical predictions (testable and empirical): Open to direct assessment and based on the collection of data which reflects facts and experience. 4.Falsifiability: the notion that scientific theories can potentially be disproved by evidence. 5. Replicability: the findings obtained by researchers need to be replicable or repeatable; it would be hard (or impossible) to base a science on inconsistent findings. 6. Paradigm: there is a generally accepted theoretic orientation within a science e.g. the theory of relativity in physics

1. Controlled Observations: Based on the examination and measurement behaviours which are visible for all to see. ASA2 Supports Refutes

ASA2 Supports Refutes 2. Objectivity: based on evidence that is publicly verifiable, measureable and unbiased. What will make a study more objective? Think about methods:

3. Testing theoretical predictions: scientific experiments are generally carried out to test the prediction of some theory. Open to direct assessment and based on the collection of data which reflects facts and experience.

ASA2 Supports Refutes 4.Falsifiability: the notion that scientific theories can potentially be disproved by evidence. Hypothesis needs to be testable to be falsifiable and needs to be falsifiable to establish cause and effect. In science and psychology experiments, and in particular laboratory experiments, can be seen to be falsifiable.

5. Replicability: the findings obtained by researchers need to be replicable or repeatable; it would be hard (or impossible) to base a science on inconsistent findings. Which studies have we covered which are highly replicable and why? ASA2 Supports Refutes

Kuhn’s Paradigm. Paradigm = An example serving as a model or pattern; Kuhn said ‘a general theoretical orientation’ (a set of attitudes and beliefs), that is accepted by most scientists in a given discipline (e.g. physics). As knowledge advances a paradigm becomes less adequate and is replaced by another. Newton to Einstein E=MC2

Kuhn (1970) 3 stages in the development of any science; 1.Pre-science –no generally accepted paradigm and a wide range of opinion about the best theories.(no shared set of common beliefs). 2.Normal science- a generally accepted paradigm. It influences the type of experiments carried out and how the findings are explained-Newtonian mechanics as used by physicists prior to relativity 3.Revolutionary science- a paradigm shift where evidence against the old paradigm goes beyond a certain point and is replaced by a new one

6. Paradigms: Psychology and the ‘pre-paradigm state’ Thomas Kuhn's 1962 critique implied psychology overall was in a pre-paradigm state, lacking the agreement on overarching theory found in mature sciences such as chemistry and physics. What elements of psychology do you thinks support Kuhn’s beliefs? Do any refute them? Have things changed since then? Is there anything unifying psychology? What are the assumptions of the different approaches? – does this support Kuhn’s ideas or not? Are there any approaches or theories which stick out?

Peer reviewed Experts in my field scrutinised my findings before publication Objective You can see the results from my quantitative data Observable My findings are based on tangible, recorded behaviour Testable My research report explains how I carried out my study. Try it for yourself. Empirical My research involved the collection of data, rather than just speculation Replicable I’ve carried out this study once. Now try it again to make sure that wasn’t a fluke. My psychological research is scientific because it is…

Peer review Experts in the field scrutinised my findings before publication Objective The quantitative results show… Observable Tangible, recorded behavioural responses showed that… Testable The research report explains how I carried out my study. Try it for yourself. Empirical The research involved the collection of data, such as… Replicable The research has been replicated by… How Science Works Passing the POOTER test Your task: Select a study from Ψ and in the table below, say how it follows the rules of science

Arguments in favour Controlled observations & the testing of theoretical predictions. Some psychological theories are falsifiable (Popper) having been disproved by experimental studies. Others have been replicated successfully. However some can’t be (e.g. Freud).

Against 1.Experimenter bias (determined by social background) can affect objectivity. 2. Laboratory experiments = artificial conditions which means that findings can lack external validity. 3. How can we study the effects of an immediate situation on behaviour? -behaviour is determined by many things(-genetics, childhood, personality) beyond our control. Therefore can it be a science if we can’t control them?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of psychology being a science? Task: Argue for and against for the following points: Reductionist Deterministic Makes generalisations (nomothetic approach) compared to taking an individual perspective (idiographic approach) Quantitative vs. Qualitative

***Social constructionism*** Psych cannot be a science; our knowledge of ourselves and others is a social construction & there is no objective reality for research. ‘..facts are simply versions of events that are presently (popular)’ –Burr (1997). Observations and their interpretations are influenced by cultural /historical forces e.g. corporal punishment in schools.

G544 Sec B Example Exam Questions: Jan 2010 Discuss the features of the cognitive approach that support the view that psychology is a science. [8] Jan 2012 Discuss the extent to which psychology can be considered a science [8]