In science, facts and concepts are learned through carrying experiment procedures. Methods and systems, in this case, are verifiable by anyone. Psychology just like science applies the same procedures in seeking to identify and prove phenomena. It is through the five senses in the human body one can perceive phenomena, analyse it and learn facts about it. The paper examines reasons why psychology is a science ( Elaine, 2017).
Conclusions Based On Evidence
Conclusions in psychology are drawn from information obtained through experiments. For instance, concepts in psychology such as cognitive features in humans can be tested and evaluated before conclusion are made based on existing models ( Elaine, 2017). Just like science, cognitive psychology can be verified through specific procedures laid by scholars in the past. For example, mental conditions and memory in humans can be evaluated based on the scientifically proven structure and functions of the brain. The same principle applies to science where phenomena are proven concerning existing models that are verifiable. This factor makes psychology a kind of science.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Human Beings Quest to Analyze Behavior About the Mind Is Scientific In Nature
Human beings, unlike other living creatures, are scientists. By nature, people want to know what happened in the past ( Elaine, 2017). Besides, they also want to know why, when and how they can modify those phenomena. In their regular lives, human beings tend to analyse behaviour, why such behaviour happened, and chances of such behaviour happening again. They rely on direct observation of features and models, reading from primary and secondary sources and teachings to answer their questions. For example, in a formal psychology class, when learners fail in a cognitive test, they will revisit the content to find why they failed and got corrected.
Psychologists and Scientist Possess Same Values
Psychologists possess many values like those of scientists. While in the field collecting data about various phenomena, psychologists are always curious, critical thinkers, always looking for truth and have specific objectives. Scientists in the field of biology, for instance, possess the same values. In both areas of study, researchers don’t use assumption but objectively strive to find truth through observation and experimentation about various phenomena. Applying same principles while on the field during psychological research clarifies the idea that psychology is indeed a science (Jogalekar, 2013).
Psychology and Science Use Similar Research Methods
Various research methods applied in psychology are also used in science. Observing mental conditions, behaviours in man, psychological disorders and therapies is the same as seeing the chemical reaction in the lab (Jogalekar, 2013). Experiments are conducted in both cases. Data collected in both cases can be analysed using same procedures and techniques. In this case, almost the same kind of phenomena is observed, analysed and evaluated. Explanations may vary, but ideas behind the tests are all the same. Research methods provide a gig linkage between psychology and science. Psychology is a science because same methods are used to collect and analyse data.
Psychology has Its Roots in Science through Philosophical Linkages
Psychology as a discipline has its history based on philosophical theories. The guiding approach is all about the mental state of man (Jogalekar, 2013). Also, the implication of the psychological state of man to general ethics has its roots in science. The scientific impact of the mind to the body as explained in philosophy connects psychology and science. The idea makes psychology a science because its principles have an ancient history in science.
Psychology as a Kind of Science, Has Laboratories
According to Elaine (2017), Psychology has laboratories just like science, where observation and testing of phenomena are done to come up with viable conclusions. A psychology lab is just as ancient as a scientific one. The first psychology lab was in 1879 and was funded by Wilhelm Wundt. Laboratories are built with the aim of providing space for testing, experimentation, and analysis of data to give viable conclusions. The fact that psychology has laboratories built means that it applies an empirical approach in concluding research; the reason behind happenings around started a long time ago ( Elaine, 2017).
Psychology As a Science Has Clear Goals and Objectives
Psychology has clear goals of describing, analysing, explaining and using the outcome to predict the future. Mental and eating disorders in man can be described, tested, analysed, interpreted and the findings used to predict the future trends in these disorders. The same applies to science, which requires prediction to be done basing on results (Jarreau, 2014). The factor makes psychology a science because they both share similar core objectives that are inclined towards predicting future occurrences on a phenomenon in question thus making psychology a science.
Conclusion
Psychology is a science because of the similarities that exist in its operations, procedures, and techniques. It relies on experiments to make the findings, it has laboratories built for learning and experimentations, same research methods and principles are used, and researchers in both areas of study possess same skills and values. Given this, we can conclude that psychology is highly linked to science, and therefore, it is a science. Slight variations may exist, but the two areas of study share a lot and are highly interconnected, which makes psychology a science.
References
Elaine S . (2017). What Makes Psychology a Science? . Career Trend . Retrieved 17 March
2018, from https://careertrend.com/about-6713755-psychology-science-.html
Jarreau, P., & Jarreau, P. (2014). Is Psychology really science? Why, yes it
is! . FromTheLabBench . Retrieved 17 March 2018, from http://www.fromthelabbench.com/from-the-lab-bench-science-blog/is-psychology-really-science-why-yes-it-is
Jogalekar, A., & Jogalekar, A. (2013). Is psychology a “real” science? Does it really
Matter? . Scientific American Blog Network . Retrieved 17 March 2018, from
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/the-curious-wavefunction/is-psychology-a-e2809creale2809d-science-does-it-really-matter/
