1. Your homework question Due next Thursday
Briefly discuss the arguments for and against the ideas that psychology is a science (10 marks)
To help you do this have a look at model answers and ideas for other questions connected with this topic on the following slides.

2. Model answer: In scientific research a hypothesis is a testable statement which is derived from a theory (this is known as deduction), it predicts the outcome of an investigation or specifies the relationship between two variables, hypothesis need to be tested, this is often done through experiments and hypothesis are either accepted or rejected on the basis of the empirical evidence gathered. If the hypothesis is accepted the theory is strengthened, if it is rejected then the theory needs to be revised or revisited. Popper argued that hypothesis testing was essential in scientific research as he suggested that all genuinely scientific theories should open themselves up to hypothesis testing and the possibility of being proven false.

3. Model answer: Psychologists from the behaviourist approach would reject the physicists claim as the approach is only interested in behaviour that can be observed and measured in objective ways. For example Pavlov’s research into classical conditioning tested the theory that behaviour can be learnt in response to specific stimuli. In Pavlov’s study learning was measured by the amount of saliva produced by the dogs when the lab assistant rang the bell (this was a learnt behaviour as previously the bell was an unconditioned stimuli and produced no response from the dogs), this was done under controlled conditions using an objective measuring scale(e.g. ml of saliva collected in the tubes) , which could then be verified by others, therefore his research can be considered objective as anyone who replicated the research would be able use exactly the same methodology to measure the behavior as no part of the study relied upon subjective, personal interpretation of events.

4. What about other approaches
What about other approaches? Could they be used to disagree with the physicist’s claim?
The Cognitive approach?
The cognitive approach argues that internal mental processes (memory, attention etc.) can and should be studied scientifically, however memory cannot be observed directly – we cannot ‘see’ the memories people have. Therefore cognitive psychologists have to observe behaviour and infer what must be going on inside the mind. This is a criticism of the approach because it could be seen as relying on intelligent guesswork rather then objective and verifiable empirical observations as we can not measure internal processes in the same way that we can measure physical responses such as the saliva produced by the dogs in Pavlov’s research.
However the development of cognitive neuroscience which uses brain scanning to study the influence of brain structures on mental processes has meant that psychologist can objectively measure brain activity in relation to cognitive tasks (e.g. Tulving’s study into tasks which required different types of long term memory) and so while some elements of cognitive research can not be seen as entirely objective, use of brain scans means that objective hypothesis testing in relation to theories within cognitive neuroscience is possible.
Click here if you need a reminder of the main assumptions of the cognitive approach

5. What about other approaches
What about other approaches? Could they be used to disagree with the physicist’s claim?
The biological approach also uses technology such as fMRIscans and EEG’s to objectively and accurately measure biological and neural processes this helps us to reject the physicist’s claims as the evidence gathered from these techniques does not rely on personal interpretation and can be replicated time and time again.

6. Humanistic and psychodynamic approach
Humanistic approach
Psychodynamic approach

7. Your homework question Due next Thursday
Briefly discuss the arguments for and against the ideas that psychology is a science (10 marks) You need to include: Arguments and specific examples of how psychology could be considered a science e.g. an example of an approach which contains all the features of science- this needs to be fully explained and correctly linked to Khun and Popper Arguments and specific examples of how psychology could not be considered a science e.g. an example of an approach which does not contain all the features of science- this needs to be fully explained, focusing on ‘untestable concepts’ and specific methodologies e.g. case studies. Khun’s idea that psychology is a pre science because of the competing paradigms should also appear in your answer. Structure 2-3 detailed paragraphs which use the peel (point, explanation, evidence, evaluation link to the question) structure and a brief conclusion which should focus on giving an over all judgement as to whether psychology can be considered a science or not.