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G544:DEBATES IS PSYCHOLOGY A SCIENCE?

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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?

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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: scientific experiments are generally carried out to test the prediction of some theory. 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 in inconsistent findings. 6. Paradigm: there is a generally accepted theoretic orientation within a science e.g. the theory of relativity in physics

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1. Controlled Observations: In most sciences it is typical for experiments to involve observing the effects of some specific manipulation. ASA2 Supports Refutes

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ASA2 Supports Refutes 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 What will make a study more objective? Think about methods:

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3. Testing theoretical predictions: scientific experiments are generally carried out to test the prediction of some theory. What does this involve?

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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.

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

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Kuhns 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

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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

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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 Kuhns 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 Kuhns ideas or not? Are there any approaches or theories which stick out?

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SUMMARY OF DEBATE Eysenck and Keanes (1990) Criteria: Does psychology meet the following criteria? Controlled observations: in most sciences it is typical for experiments to involve observing the effects of some specific manipulation. 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 Testing theoretical predictions : scientific experiments are generally carried out to test the prediction of some theory. Falsifiability: the notion that scientific theories can potentially be disproved by evidence. Paradigm: there is a generally accepted theoretic orientation within a science e.g. the theory of relativity in physics Replicability: the findings obtained by researchers need to be replicable or repeatable; it would be hard (or impossible) to base a science in inconsistent findings

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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 cant be (e.g. Freud).

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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 cant control them?

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***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.

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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]