Is Psychology a Science Essay

Psychology is commonly defined as scientific study of human behaviour and cognitive processes. Broadly address the discussion focuses on the different branches of psychology, and if they be indeed scientific. However, it is integral in this to debate to understand exactly the major features of a science, in prepare to judge if psychology is in fact one.There must be a definable subject matter this changed from conscious human suasion to human and non-human behaviour, then to cognitive processes within psychologys primary eighty years as a separate discipline. Also, a possible action construction is important. This represents an attempt to explain observed phenomena, such as Watsons attempt to account for human and non-human behaviour in terms of immaculate conditioning, and Skinners subsequent attempt to do the same with operative conditioning. Any science must have hypotheses, and indeed test them.This involves make specific predictions about behaviour under certain specif ied conditions, for example, predicting that by combining the sight of a rat with the sound of an iron kibosh banging behind his head, a small child will checker to fear the rat, as is the case of Little Albert (1923). Also, empirical methods are employ in scientific fields to collect data, relevant to the hypothesis universe 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 butt and unbiased. It should be free of values and discover the truths about what it is studying. positivity is the view that science is objective and a study of what is real. For example, schizophrenia, when bring upd as beingness caused due to excess dopamine, is being studied in a scientific manner. The explanation does not take into account any cultural usage or individual differences that might lead to schizophrenic behaviour.However, even in scientific research like this the person is doing the diag nosing has his or her testify views, and may misinterpret behaviour because of his or her own subjective biases. For example, if soulfulness talks about hearing voices, they may be referring to a eldritch 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.