Psychology as a science – sample essay plan
(a) Explain what is meant by the term ‘science’
(5 marks)
(b) Critcally consider whether psychology is a science.
(25 marks)
In order for psychology to be considered a science, it needs to use the scientific
method in its research. This means……
An example of this is…
A scientific study will also be controlled. There are problems with using controlled
studies in psychology this is because… (discuss issues of validity with examples)
Despite issues with validity we could still consider psychology a science as
attempts have been made to overcome some of the problems of using controlled
psychology experiments with the concept of triangulation. (explain this concept)
The idea of triangulation may also help with the problem of objectivity in
psychology. (explain objectivity)
Objectivity can be a problem for the idea that psychology is a science. This is
because…. (explain why studying humans may lead to problems e.g. demand
characteristics – give e.g.’s)
On the other hand it may be the case that the same problems occur in the
physical sciences. (explain this concept fully)
Kuhn criticised psychology on the grounds that it did not have a single paradigm.
(Explain what a paradigm is and why psychology may not be a science based on
these principles)
Nevertheless, we may be able to say that there is a dominant paradigm in
psychology (explain this idea further and explain why psychology may be
considered a science)
Finally it is worth considering whether psychology should attempt to fit in to the
goals of a science. Psychology does attempt to fit in with scientific methodologies
but in doing this psychology becomes deterministic and reductionist. (Explain
what this is and why this is a problem)
Using your addiction revision table try to use examples of research (theories
and/or studies that illustrate the points made in the plan.
With regard to validity remember to include internal (does the research measure
what it is supposed to measure) and external (with includes predictive, ecological
and temporal).
Objectivity relates to reliability – true science will have predictions (hypothesis)
and controlled investigations (control of the independent variable and extraneous
variables).
A good way to revise your schizophrenia and addiction sections would be to
find examples of theories and studies that illustrate the points outlined above.