THEORY
What is Science?
Science can be defined as the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural worls through observation and experiment. A science will have a number of qualities:
- Controlled observations
- Emphasis on falsifiability
- Objectivity
- Replicability
- Generally accepted paradigm (theoretical orientation)
Emergence of Psychology as a Science:
J.B. Watson was highly critical of Introspection. He also criticised the difficulty of finding generalised principles. He proposed that a truly scientific psychology should only study behaviour that can be objectively observed and measured. Watson founded the idea that knowledge should be gained throguh experience, ie: empirically, turned into a method of enquiry that uses careful observations and experiments to gather facts and evidence. Thus, the Behaviourist Approach was born and with it the scientific method of emergence of Psychology as a science.
The nature of scientific enquiry may be thought of at two levels:
The prime empirical method of enquiry in science, and by behaviourists such as Watson and Skinner (1953), is the experiment. The key fetures of the experiment are:
The Biological Approach (1980s) later became the dominant scientific approach in psychology. Recent advances in technology allow physiological processes to be studied (EG: GSR and brain waves using EEG machines), increasing our understanding of the brain and biological processes.
Most recently, Cognitive Neuroscience has emerged as a seperate discipline combining elements of the Cognitive Approach with Biological Processes, investigating how biological structures influence mental states.
The nature of scientific enquiry may be thought of at two levels:
- That to do with theory and the foundation of hypotheses
- Actual empirical methods of enquiry (ie: experiments, observations)
The prime empirical method of enquiry in science, and by behaviourists such as Watson and Skinner (1953), is the experiment. The key fetures of the experiment are:
- Control over variables (independent, dependent, and extraneous/control)
- Careful objective measurement
- Establishing cause and effect relationships
The Biological Approach (1980s) later became the dominant scientific approach in psychology. Recent advances in technology allow physiological processes to be studied (EG: GSR and brain waves using EEG machines), increasing our understanding of the brain and biological processes.
Most recently, Cognitive Neuroscience has emerged as a seperate discipline combining elements of the Cognitive Approach with Biological Processes, investigating how biological structures influence mental states.