Essay about Advantages of the Use of the Scientific Method...

Advantages of the use of the scientific method in psychology There are a number of advantages to using scientific methods in psychology. Firstly an important aspect of imperial data is that it is objective, i.e. not affected by expectations of the research. So, without objectivity we have no way of being certain that data collected is valid. An example of this is seen with Gardner amp; Gardner. When they observed Washoe they might have judged that Washoe was using real words because they wanted her to succeed, for that reason the Gardners developed a strict set of criteria to make judgements. This shows that through objectivity it allows for there to be no bias evident. Another advantage is that the scientific method allows for†¦show more content†¦Psychology then moved into a behaviourist approach which rejected the emphasis on both the conscious and unconscious mind. Instead, behaviourism strove to make psychology a more scientific discipline by focusing purely on observable behaviour. Pavlovs research with dogs led to his discovery of the classical conditioning process. Then the humanists came into play and the result was not simply new variations on psychodynamic theory, but rather a fundamentally new approach. The Humanistic Approach began in response to concerns by therapists against perceived limitations of Psychodynamic theories. They were different from other approaches because they showed emphasis on subjective meaning and a rejection of determinism. Finally the cognitive approach developed as a separate area within the discipline since the late 1950s and early 1960s following the cognitive revolution initiated by Chomskys critiqu e of behaviourism. It accepts the use of the scientific method, and generally rejects introspection as a valid method of investigation. Finally laboratory experiments are considered the most scientific method of research as it allows research to be controlled; objective and replicable. Whereas the least scientific method is considered to be case studies, these generalise from one person’s experiences and often let the researcher become ‘attached’ to the subject. ForShow MoreRelatedCharles Darwin s Theory Of Psychology1228 Words   |  5 Pages1. What roles did Wundt and James play in establishing psychology? Wilhelm Wundt played a key role in establishing psychology after his book Principles of Physiological Psychology argued that psychology should be studied as it s own distinct scientific discipline rather than a sub-category of physiology. In 1879, Wundt founded the first laboratory of scientific psychological research at the University of Leipzig. He was very influential and over the years, thousands of students attended his lecturesRead MoreDiscuss to What Extent Psychology Can Be Considered a Science.1129 Words   |  5 PagesWhat Extent Psychology Can Be Considered a Science. According to Merriam Webster (2008), science is a, â€Å"knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method†, with scientific method in five steps being, â€Å"observation/research, hypothesis, prediction, experimentation and conclusion.† (sciencemadesimple.com, 2006). With this to consider, is psychology a science and if so, to what extent. It would be fair to say that psychology has not alwaysRead MoreHuman Social Perception Of Social Psychology870 Words   |  4 PagesHuman Social Perception in Empirical Literature Human social perception is area of study within social psychology that involves the complex cognitive system that is personal to each individual. Since each person has a unique cognitive system, interpretation of social situations is unique to each individual. The differences in cognition and perception between different people allows for varied interpretations, accurate perceptions, and misperceptions. Social perception is an interesting topic thatRead MoreStatistical Research in Psychology999 Words   |  4 PagesStatistical Research in Psychology Tiffany Fisher GEN 315 Abstract Many students, including myself, are unaware how important statistics can be to the research process in Psychology. In this report, I will discuss the method used to perform researches as well as the forms of data used through statistic in Psychology. This will include the advantages and disadvantages of each form used. Introduction Many studying Psychology might be shocked that statistics is a requirement. It is vital toRead MoreFundamentals of Research Methodology1216 Words   |  5 PagesFundamentals of Research Methodology Paper Psychology is a discipline which seeks to study the thoughts and actions of men in a scientific way. Science is a marvelous development in the history of human thought. The American Heritage Dictionary defines psychology as the science dealing with the mind, mental and emotional processes, and the science of human behavior. It defines science as systemized knowledge derived from observations and study. Scientific study is a way of understanding life andRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Psychology Is Defined As The Scientific Study Of The Human Mind And Behavior1281 Words   |  6 PagesPsychology is defined as the scientific study of the human mind and behavior. It was established as a separate discipline during the late 1800s and can be taken back to the time of the ancient Greeks. From around 500BC to 322 BC, Greek philosophers suggested a theory of â€Å"psyche† that is where the word psychology comes from. This meaning the mind, soul and spirit. The Pythagoras, Hippocr ates, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were some of the most influential philosophers of their time. However, due toRead MoreEssay on Psy201 R6 Research Plan 643 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿University of Phoenix Material A Research Plan Part I – Research Problem Think about something in psychology that you would be interesting in studying. You can select a topic from what you’ll be studying in this course or another topic that seems intriguing to you. Respond to the following in 50-75 words: Identify your research problem and describe it. What about this topic interests you? The research problem is what causes stress. I will discuss the cause and problems of stress on theRead MoreIntelligence Testing And Its Impact On The Sector860 Words   |  4 PagesEducational Psychology To many people outside the field, psychology is a jumble of abstract concepts that are used to help those who are mentally challenged. Most of the citizenry rarely associated psychology with any practical applications in the real world. However, the theories in the field have been applied to various sectors for a long time. One specific area is the education sector where psychologists offer advice on policy and sometimes direct that policy. This paper shall look at the applicationRead MoreThe Field Of Educational Psychology856 Words   |  4 Pages Jack (1997) defined educational psychology as a branch of psychology concerned with the scientific study of human learning. The study of learning processes, from both cognitive and behavioral perspectives, allows researchers to understand individual differences in intelligence, cognitive development, affect, motivation, self-regulation, and self-concept, as well as their role in learning. The field of educational psychology relies heavily on quantitative methods, including testing and measurementRead MoreSocial Psychology Definition Paper1122 Words   |  5 PagesSocial Psychology Definition Paper Sinthia Brye PSY/ 400 August 30, 2010 Joyce Willis Social Psychology Introduction Social psychology it observes as the influence of our situations with special attention on how we view and affect one another. Social psychology perceives the way we think, influence people, and relates to others. Social psychology lies at psychology’s boundary with sociology, which sociology is the study of people in groups and societies? Social psychology is all