Is Psychology a Science Essay Example for Free

Is Psychology a Science Es learnPsychology is commonly defined as scientific study of piece behaviour and cognitive processes. Broadly speaking the discussion focuses on the different branches of psychology, and if they are indeed scientific. However, it is integral in this to debate to understand exactly the major features of a science, in order to judge if psychology is in fact one.There must be a definable subject matter this changed from conscious human thought to human and non-human behaviour, then to cognitive processes within psychologys first eighty years as a separate discipline. Also, a theory construction is important. This represents an act to explain observed phenomena, such as Watsons attempt to account for human and non-human behaviour in terms of classical conditioning, and Skinners subsequent attempt to do the alike(p) with operant conditioning. Any science must have hypotheses, and indeed test them.This involves making specific predictions or so behaviour under certain specified conditions, for example, predicting that by combining the sight of a rat with the sonorous of an iron bar banging behind his head, a small child will learn to solicitude the rat, as is the case of Little Albert (1923). Also, empirical methods are used in scientific fields to roll up data, relevant to the hypothesis organism tested, as is the case in many psychological experiments, such as the use of brain scanning in Dement and Kleitmans 1957 study.Science is meant to be objective and unbiased. It should be free of set and discover the truths about what it is studying. Positivism is the view that science is objective and a study of what is real. For example, schizophrenia, when diagnosed as being caused due to excess dopamine, is being studied in a scientific manner. The explanation does not analyse into account any cultural customs or individual differences that might lead to schizophrenic behaviour.However, level off in scientific research like this the person is doing the diagnosing has his or her own views, and may misconstrue behaviour because of his or her own subjective biases. For example, if someone talks about hearing voices, they may be referring to a spiritual experience, but a medical practitioner might well diagnose schizophrenia. So objective, value-free study is not easy, because the scientist has views and biases, and cultural or other issues are perhaps important factors. Some say that a truly objective study is not possible. In conclusion, its a science.